Axiom Space's Peggy Whitson, Hungary's Tibor Kapu, India's Shubhanshu Shukla (centre) and Poland's Slawosz Uznanski-Wisniewski aboard the International Space Station, on Thursday. PTI/AP
Axiom-4 mission LIVE: Excited about the next 14 days, says Shubhanshu Shukla
Shukla scripts history by becoming the first Indian to float into the International Space Station
India's Shubhanshu Shukla and three other astronauts entered the International Space Station to warm hugs from the crew members of the orbital laboratory on Thursday (June 26). Shukla has thus scripted history by becoming the first Indian to float into the International Space Station.
The space station crew welcomed Axiom-4 mission commander Peggy Whitson as she floated into the station soon after the hatch-opening procedures were completed at 5:44 pm IST.
Shukla, the mission pilot, followed Whitson, with Polish engineer Slawosz Uznanski-Wisniewski, a mission specialist and a European Space Agency project astronaut, close behind.
"We are happy to be here. It was a long quarantine," Whitson, who is on her fifth spaceflight, said as the four astronauts waved to the mission control at Houston.
This is the first time an Indian astronaut has travelled to the International Space Station.
"At 6:31 am EDT (4:01 IST) on Thursday, the SpaceX Dragon spacecraft docked to the International Space Station for the fourth private astronaut mission to the orbiting laboratory, Axiom Mission 4," the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) announced in a statement.
A live videolink from the NASA showed the spacecraft approaching the space station. The docking sequence was completed at 4:15 pm IST.
After the soft capture of the spacecraft, the hard-mating was completed when the two orbiting bodies were connected with 12 sets of hooks with each other and communication and power links were established.
The hatch-opening procedures took an hour and 45 minutes before the astronauts floated on board the space station.
Shukla, a test pilot with the Indian Air Force, is the second Indian to go to space and the first since Rakesh Sharma's eight-day sojourn in 1984.
Live Updates
- 26 Jun 2025 8:50 PM IST
What Shukla said from ISS: Key statements
Shubhanshu Shukla, after reaching the International Space Station (ISS) with the Axiom Mission 4 crew, shared his initial thoughts and a special message.
Here are his key statements:
⦿ Shukla expressed immense gratitude for the warm welcome he received from the ISS crew. He likened it to them "literally opened your doors, like your house doors, for us. That's true. It was fantastic."
⦿ Shukla said his expectations of being in space were "surpassed" not only by the incredible view of Earth but also by the hospitality of the crew. He feels "even better now."
⦿ He is confident that the next 14 days on the ISS will be "amazing," focused on "advancing science and research, and working together."
⦿ In a message exclusively to Indians (in Hindi), he said, "I have reached the ISS with your love and blessings. This may look easy, but it is not. The head is heavy and it is a little difficult but we will get used to it in a few days. This is just the first step of the mission."
⦿ Shukla added that he will conduct several science experiments during the 14-day mission and will continue to communicate with the people of India.
⦿ He concluded his message to Indians with "Let us make this journey an exciting one, Jai Hind!" and "Jai Hind, Jai Bharat''.
⦿ Shukla described adapting to microgravity as "learning like a baby... how to walk and eat in space," and found the experience of floating in a vacuum "amazing" and "humbling." He also humorously mentioned, "It's good to make mistakes, but it is better to see someone else do that too."
⦿ Shukla emphasised that his journey is not just a personal accomplishment but a "collective achievement" for all who made it possible, acknowledging the efforts of every individual involved.
- 26 Jun 2025 8:21 PM IST
Shukla sends message from space
The International Space Station formally welcomed the Axiom-4 crew on board, marking a historic moment for Shubhanshu Shukla, who became the 634th human to travel to space.
Axiom-4 mission commander Peggy Whitson, a veteran NASA astronaut, personally presented Group Captain Shukla with his astronaut pin, a symbolic milestone in every spacefarer's journey.
Expressing his excitement from aboard the ISS, Shukla said, "I was looking forward to this. The crew made me feel welcome and opened their doors for us."
In a follow-up message, he added, "I feel even better. My expectations have been surpassed by the view and the current crew."
- 26 Jun 2025 5:40 PM IST
Shukla's parents celebrate
Astronaut Shubhanshu Shukla's mother Asha Shukla, father Shambhu Shukla and others celebrate after Shukla, along with three other astronauts, reached the International Space Station, in Lucknow, Uttar Pradesh, Thursday, June 26. PTI
