Astronaut becomes first Indian to set foot on ISS

Shubhanshu Shukla has made history as the first Indian astronaut to set foot on the International Space Station, marking a significant achievement for India’s space program. Shukla is part of the Ax-4 mission, which is a commercial spaceflight organized by Axiom Space, a private company based in Houston. The mission’s crew is led by Peggy Whitson, a former NASA astronaut, and includes Slawosz Uznanski-Wisniewski from Poland and Tibor Kapu from Hungary. The team launched from NASA’s Kennedy Space Center in Florida and successfully docked with the ISS, where they will spend two weeks conducting scientific research.

The Ax-4 mission is a collaboration between several space agencies, including NASA, India’s ISRO, the European Space Agency, and SpaceX. The launch took place early in the morning, and after reaching orbit, the spacecraft connected to the ISS. A pressurized passage was created so the astronauts could safely enter the station. With the arrival of the Ax-4 crew, the ISS now has 11 people on board. This mission is especially meaningful for India, as Shukla is only the second Indian to travel to space, following Rakesh Sharma’s journey in 1984.

During their stay, the crew will carry out 60 scientific experiments, with seven designed by ISRO. India invested 5 billion rupees to secure Shukla’s seat and training, hoping that his experience will help the country prepare for future human spaceflights. ISRO has ambitious plans, including launching its first human spaceflight in 2027, building a space station by 2035, and sending an astronaut to the Moon by 2040.

Shukla shared his excitement about being in space during a live broadcast, describing the experience as amazing and fun. He mentioned that adjusting to zero gravity was challenging at first, but he is enjoying learning how to move, eat, and read in space. The crew also brought along a small toy swan named Joy, which floats around the station and serves as a zero-gravity indicator. Shukla explained that the swan represents wisdom and the ability to focus on what truly matters, which is important in today’s world full of distractions.

Commander Whitson announced that their spacecraft is named Grace, symbolizing the elegance and harmony of their mission. She emphasized that spaceflight is not just about technology, but also about goodwill and benefiting humanity. The Ax-4 mission is a milestone for international cooperation in space and a proud moment for India as it looks forward to more achievements in the future.