Group Captain Shubhanshu Shukla, the former Indian Air Force pilot who is now an astronaut, is breaking records as he captains the Axiom-4 mission (Ax-4) to the International Space Station (ISS). The mission launched from Launch Complex 39A at NASA’s Kennedy Space Center in Florida at 2:31 AM Eastern Time (12:01 PM IST) on Wednesday, June 25.
Speaking to the nation from the SpaceX Dragon spacecraft, Shubhanshu Shukla had a patriotic and emotional message to share
“Namaskar, my dear fellow citizens, what a journey. We are back in space again after 41 years. It’s such an incredible journey. We are orbiting the Earth at a speed of 7.5 kilometres per second. The Tiranga printed on my shoulders reminds me that I am with all of you.”
This is not my start to the International Space Station (ISS) but to India’s human space program. I want all of you to join this journey. Your chest, too, should swell with pride. You all exhibit enthusiasm. Let’s start India’s human space program. Jai Hind! Jai Bharat!
Axiom-4 Launches Successfully After Multiple Delays
The Ax-4 mission, which had been postponed a few times because of weather and technical reasons, ultimately took off on board SpaceX’s Falcon 9 rocket. Two minutes into the flight, the first stage of the Falcon 9 finished its job and separated from the Dragon capsule safely, starting to make its way back to Earth. Shukla and the three other astronauts on board, however, initiated their 28-hour journey to the ISS.
Shubhanshu Shukla’s mission is an important milestone, as he is the second Indian astronaut to go to space, after Wing Commander Rakesh Sharma, who went on a Soviet mission in 1984. It took India 41 years to return to crewed spaceflight, but this time with Axiom Space and NASA as partners, providing a timely learning curve for ISRO’s next Gaganyaan human spaceflight programme.
A Musical Journey Through Space
While the Dragon capsule makes its way upward and into orbit, the astronauts have been listening to a unique playlist specially made for the mission. Shubhanshu Shukla chose A.R. Rahman’s “Yun Hi Chala Chal” from Swades as a representation of India’s future journey in space. Other songs are Imagine Dragons’ “Thunder”, a Polish Supermonce song, and a Hungarian Bvhely tune.
The 28-hour flight to the ISS is not a straight course. The Dragon spacecraft has to go through a series of well-planned phasing maneuvers to match its trajectory with the ISS orbit. These involve meticulous orbital calculations, GPS coordinates, radar coordination, and sensor information to make it perfect in execution.
Space analysts observe that the spacecraft will stop at a number of important waypoints along the approach. At 20 meters from the ISS, the Dragon will initiate final docking, aiming for the Harmony module.
Two-Phase Docking: Magnetic to Mechanical
Docking happens in two distinct phases
Soft Capture: Magnetic sensors slowly bring the capsule into place.
Hard Capture: Hooks and latches form a pressure-tight fit between the Dragon and the ISS.
The spacecraft spends up to two hours stabilizing and checking safety once it is docked. It is only after this operation that the Axiom-4 crew will open the hatch and enter the ISS, kicking off their 14-day mission.
Shukla’s Mission to Advance Indian Space Science
In the next fortnight, Shukla and his global crewmates will execute 60 experiments. Of these, seven have been conceptualized by Indian scientists. These experiments will form the cornerstone for India’s future ambitions in human space exploration, particularly under the Gaganyaan programme.
Shukla’s journey on the ISS is symbolic of more than just a youthful spirit—it’s a new beginning for India’s space plans, with international collaboration married to domestic pride.