Shubhanshu Shukla Becomes First Indian Astronaut Aboard ISS

Move over gravity, India’s making history — again.

Group Captain Shubhanshu Shukla has officially become the first Indian astronaut to step onto the International Space Station (ISS).

The historic milestone unfolded during the Axiom-4 (Ax-4) mission — a private spaceflight partnership between NASA, ISRO, ESA, and SpaceX — which launched from Florida’s Kennedy Space Center on Wednesday, June 26.

Shukla is only the second Indian to ever fly to space, following cosmonaut Rakesh Sharma’s Soviet mission in 1984. But this time, it’s a whole new orbit — quite literally.

🚀 A New Era in Indian Space Travel

• Lift-off: June 26, 02:31 EDT (06:31 GMT / 12:01 IST)

• Docking: June 27, 06:31 EDT (10:31 GMT / 16:01 IST)

• Duration: Two weeks on the ISS

• Mission Partners: Axiom Space, NASA, ISRO, ESA, SpaceX

• Crew: 4 astronauts from India, USA, Poland, and Hungary

Commanded by former NASA astronaut Peggy Whitson, with Shukla serving as pilot, the Ax-4 crew includes Slawosz Uznanski-Wisniewski (Poland) and Tibor Kapu (Hungary). Together, they bring the ISS's current crew total to 11.

🛰️ Big Science, Bigger Dreams

The Ax-4 team is expected to complete 60 scientific experiments, including seven from India’s ISRO, as part of a growing global effort to expand human spaceflight capabilities.

India reportedly paid ₹5 billion (approx. $59 million) to secure Shukla’s seat, with the hope of using this experience to boost its own Gaganyaan human spaceflight mission in 2027 and eventual Moon mission by 2040.

“It’s been an amazing feeling to be just floating in space,” Shukla shared in a live video. “I’m enjoying the view, the experience, and learning anew, like a baby.”

🦢 Meet Joy: The Zero-G Swan

The star of the show (besides Shukla) might just be Joy, the floating white swan toy dubbed the “fifth crew member.” More than just cute — Joy acts as a zero-gravity indicator and a symbol of wisdom, says Shukla. “In this age of distractions, [Joy] reminds us to discern what matters.”

Meanwhile, Whitson unveiled their capsule’s name: Grace — a nod to the mission’s spirit of harmony, humility, and purpose.

“Grace is more than a name. It reflects the elegance with which we move through space,” Whitson said. “It’s an act of goodwill — for the benefit of every human, everywhere.”

From scientific strides to swan mascots, this mission is shaping up to be one for the cosmic books.

This article was previously published on UAE Moments. To see the original article, click here