India's First Astronaut on the ISS, Poised to Make History

Group Captain Shubhanshu Shukla of the Indian Air Force is poised to mark a significant milestone by becoming the first Indian astronaut to set foot on the International Space Station (ISS), following in the footsteps of Rakesh Sharma, the first Indian in space. This historic journey, scheduled for after spring 2025, will see Shukla command the Axiom-4 mission aboard a SpaceX Dragon spacecraft. This mission is a collaborative venture between NASA and ISRO, featuring a diverse crew that includes Slawosz Uznanski-Wisniewski from Poland and Tibor Kapu from Hungary, alongside Shukla himself. The 14-day mission is dedicated to performing experiments that will further our understanding of deep space exploration.

In preparation for this monumental expedition, Shukla has been engaging with the public and sharing his aspirations and plans for the journey. During a virtual press conference hosted by NASA, he revealed his intention to document his experience in space through videos and photos, aiming to share this unique perspective with his fellow Indians. He emphasized that while it may be an individual journey, it represents the aspirations and dreams of 1.4 billion Indians. Moreover, Shukla plans to bring a touch of Indian culture to the ISS by carrying unique items from various parts of India and by performing Yoga after docking at the ISS. This gesture not only highlights the personal significance of the mission to Shukla but also underscores the cultural pride and unity he wishes to convey through his actions in space.