India’s journey into space has taken another historic leap with Group Captain Shubhanshu Shukla becoming the second Indian astronaut to travel to space. Onboard the Axiom-4 mission, Shukla is headed to the International Space Station (ISS) aboard the SpaceX Crew Dragon spacecraft, launched from NASA’s Kennedy Space Center on a Falcon 9 rocket.

Shukla, an Indian Air Force pilot, follows in the footsteps of Wing Commander Rakesh Sharma, who made history in 1984 as the first Indian in space. This mission is significant not only because of Shukla's pioneering achievement but also because it is the first time in four decades that India has sent another astronaut into space.

Alongside Shukla, the Axiom-4 crew consists of Polish specialist Slawosz Uznanski-Wisniewski, Hungarian specialist Tibor Kapu, and US commander Peggy Whitson. The team is set to embark on a two-week mission that will involve conducting 60 scientific experiments, seven of which were proposed by Indian researchers.

In a media interaction before the mission, Shukla expressed the emotional weight of the journey, saying, “I carry with me not just instruments and equipment, but the hopes and dreams of a billion hearts.” As the crew embarks on their mission, Shukla’s journey serves as a symbol of national pride and advancement in India’s space exploration efforts.

The Axiom-4 mission, which faced several delays due to weather and technical issues, is now on track. The crew is expected to dock at the ISS around 4:30 pm tomorrow after a 28-hour orbital journey. Shukla’s mission marks a major milestone in both India’s space history and global space exploration, reinforcing India’s presence on the international space stage.