As the SpaceX Dragon spacecraft "Grace" closes in on its historic docking with the International Space Station (ISS), the ISS has confirmed visual contact with the vehicle. Flying east of Africa, the Dragon was captured in its first image from the ISS as it approached from below. Indian astronaut Group Captain Shubhanshu Shukla was seen closely monitoring the docking sequence alongside Mission Commander Peggy Whitson. The Ax-4 mission is moments away from making history as Shukla prepares to become the first Indian to dock with the ISS. Docking is expected at 3:48 pm IST, with live visuals being relayed from space. (PC: India Today)

Indian astronaut Group Captain Shubhanshu Shukla is moments away from docking the SpaceX Dragon spacecraft with the International Space Station (ISS) as part of the Axiom-4 (Ax-4) mission. Launched from NASA’s Kennedy Space Center, Shukla is the first Indian to reach the ISS and only the second Indian in space. The Dragon is now just 400 meters from the space station, with final docking expected by 3:48 pm IST. Accompanied by a plush swan named Joy, Shukla and the Ax-4 crew will spend 14 days aboard the ISS conducting scientific experiments and representing India’s growing role in human spaceflight.

Indian astronaut Shubhanshu Shukla said he is adjusting to space “like a baby learning to walk” in his first live call from orbit. Speaking from the SpaceX Dragon spacecraft, he shared that moving in zero gravity is tough but fun. “I’m learning how to eat, walk, and control my body all over again,” he said with a laugh. Shukla is part of Axiom Mission-4 and will dock at the International Space Station soon. He called the mission a proud step for India’s space journey and Gaganyaan. Shukla added that he is enjoying the views and sleeping well in space. (PC: India Today)

Group Captain Shubhanshu Shukla sent his first message from space aboard the SpaceX Dragon spacecraft. He greeted everyone with a cheerful, “Namaskar from space,” during a live stream. Shukla is part of the Axiom Mission 4 crew, which is set to dock with the International Space Station around 4:30 PM IST. He shared that being in space felt amazing and he is learning new things like a baby. “I’m getting used to this quite well… enjoying the views,” he said. Shukla joins three others on this private mission, marking a proud moment for India in global space exploration. (PC: Axiom Space/YT)

Axiom Mission 4 (Ax‑4), launched June 25, 2025 from Kennedy Space Center by a SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket carrying the newly named Crew Dragon named Grace, marks a milestone in private spaceflight . The crew includes former NASA astronaut Peggy Whitson as commander; pilot Shubhanshu Shukla, the first Indian and second-ever Indian in space, following Rakesh Sharma after 41 years ; mission specialists Sławosz Uznański‑Wiśniewski of Poland and Tibor Kapu of Hungary, both making national ISS debuts . Backup crew includes India’s Prasanth Balakrishnan Nair . The two-week mission will dock June 26, conducting global scientific and technical research aboard the ISS.

Group Captain Shubhanshu Shukla, the second Indian in space after 41 years, sent a heartfelt message from orbit aboard the Axiom-4 mission. “Namaskar, my dear countrymen! What a ride! We are back in space once again after 41 years. It's an amazing ride,” he said, as the spacecraft orbited Earth at 7.5 km/s. Shukla added, “The Tiranga embossed on my shoulders tells me that I am with all of you.” He hailed this mission as the beginning of India’s human spaceflight programme, Gaganyaan. Shukla will spend 14 days on the ISS conducting experiments on India’s behalf with international crew members. 

India celebrated a milestone as Axiom‑4 successfully launched, carrying Group Captain Shubhanshu Shukla aboard SpaceX’s Falcon 9 to the International Space Station—marking India’s return to human spaceflight after 41 years . Former cricketer Yuvraj Singh captured the national pride, stating: “This is a moment we’ll remember for generations,” as Shukla symbolically carried the hopes of 1.4 billion Indians . Prime Minister Modi also extended congratulations, emphasizing Shukla’s role in uniting and inspiring the nation. The mission, part of a multinational crew, is set for a two‑week ISS stay with over 60 scientific experiments planned.

Indian Air Force pilot and astronaut Shubhanshu Shukla launched into space on June 25, 2025, as part of the Axiom-4 mission, marking a historic moment for India’s space journey. The mission, conducted by Axiom Space in partnership with SpaceX and NASA, lifted off from Florida’s Kennedy Space Center. Shukla will spend 14 days aboard the International Space Station (ISS), conducting microgravity research and space experiments. This mission not only highlights India's advancing role in global space exploration but also paves the way for future collaborations and the upcoming Indian human spaceflight program, Gaganyaan.

In a landmark achievement for India's space ambitions, astronaut Shubhanshu Shukla successfully launched into space aboard the Axiom-4 mission on June 25, 2025. The mission, operated by Axiom Space in collaboration with NASA and SpaceX, lifted off from Kennedy Space Center, Florida, marking Shukla’s first spaceflight. This event signifies a major milestone in India's growing presence in human spaceflight, as Shukla joins an elite group of Indian astronauts. The mission aims to conduct scientific experiments aboard the International Space Station (ISS), with Shukla representing India’s capabilities on a global space platform.  

Prime Minister Narendra Modi congratulated Group Captain Shubhanshu Shukla and the Axiom-4 crew after their successful launch to the International Space Station on June 25. “We welcome the successful launch of the space mission carrying astronauts from India, Hungary, Poland and the US. The Indian astronaut, Group Captain Shubhanshu Shukla, is on the way to become the first Indian to go to the International Space Station. He carries with him the wishes, hopes and aspirations of 1.4 billion Indians,” Modi wrote on X. The SpaceX Dragon spacecraft launched at 12:01 PM IST from NASA’s Kennedy Space Center, Florida. (PC: X)