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Axiom 4 Mission Highlights: Shubhanshu Shukla enters the International Space Station with the Axiom-4 crew
27 Jun 2025 | 12:43:59 AM IST
Axiom crew enters ISS
Synopsis
Axiom 4 Mission Highlights: Shubhanshu Shukla enters the International Space Station with the Axiom crew.
Axiom 4 Mission Highlights: Axiom-4 mission carrying Shubhanshu Shukla and crew launched successfully from Kennedy Space Centre on June 25. The spacecraft docked at ISS successfully at 4:01 PM IST.
Read more at: Indian enters International Space Station: Shubhanshu Shukla & crew dock successfully
The SpaceX Dragon spacecraft carrying four Axiom Mission 4 (Ax-4) crew members including Mission Pilot Group Captain Shbhansu Shukla, is orbiting Earth and on its way to the International Space Station after launching from Kennedy Space Centre at noon on Indian Standard Time (IST) Wednesday .
Dragon is also carrying Ax-4 Commander Peggy Whitson, and Mission Specialists Slawosz Uznanski-Wisniewski and Tibor Kapu and will dock to the Harmony module's space-facing port at 4:30 pm IST today.
NASA Flight Engineers Anne McClain and Nichole Ayers will be on duty at the beginning of their shift, monitoring Dragon during its automated approach and rendezvous manoeuvres. After docking, the Ax-4 astronauts will greet the seven Expedition 73 crewmates, call down to Earth for welcoming remarks, then participate in a safety briefing with the station residents.
Meanwhile, McClain and Ayers, along with the rest of the station crew, worked a normal shift on Wednesday, keeping up with microgravity research and lab maintenance.
For Group Captain Shukla, this will be an opportunity to emulate fellow Indian Air Force Officer Wing Commander Rakesh Sharma, who flew aboard Soyuz T-11 on 3 April 1984 as part of the Soviet Interkosmos programme. Sharma spent seven days in space on board the Salyut 7 space station.Live coverage of the Axiom-4 mission spacecraft will begin at 2:00 PM IST.
Show moreRead more at: Indian enters International Space Station: Shubhanshu Shukla & crew dock successfully
The SpaceX Dragon spacecraft carrying four Axiom Mission 4 (Ax-4) crew members including Mission Pilot Group Captain Shbhansu Shukla, is orbiting Earth and on its way to the International Space Station after launching from Kennedy Space Centre at noon on Indian Standard Time (IST) Wednesday .
Dragon is also carrying Ax-4 Commander Peggy Whitson, and Mission Specialists Slawosz Uznanski-Wisniewski and Tibor Kapu and will dock to the Harmony module's space-facing port at 4:30 pm IST today.
NASA Flight Engineers Anne McClain and Nichole Ayers will be on duty at the beginning of their shift, monitoring Dragon during its automated approach and rendezvous manoeuvres. After docking, the Ax-4 astronauts will greet the seven Expedition 73 crewmates, call down to Earth for welcoming remarks, then participate in a safety briefing with the station residents.
Meanwhile, McClain and Ayers, along with the rest of the station crew, worked a normal shift on Wednesday, keeping up with microgravity research and lab maintenance.
For Group Captain Shukla, this will be an opportunity to emulate fellow Indian Air Force Officer Wing Commander Rakesh Sharma, who flew aboard Soyuz T-11 on 3 April 1984 as part of the Soviet Interkosmos programme. Sharma spent seven days in space on board the Salyut 7 space station.Live coverage of the Axiom-4 mission spacecraft will begin at 2:00 PM IST.
1 New Update
ISRO scientists celebrate the docking of Axiom-4
I feel even better. My expectations have been surpassed by the view and current crew, says astronaut Shubhanshu Shukla from space station.
Was looking forward to this. Crew made me feel welcome and opened their doors for us, Shukla added.
International Space Station formally welcomes Axiom-4 crew, including Shubhanshu Shukla, on board.
Shubhanshu Shukla has a message for Indians
Shubhanshu Shukla talks in Hindi, thanks Indians for the love and blessings. He adds that he is looking forward for the next 14 days at the International Space Station.
Axiom astronauts receive astronaut pins
Shubhanshu Shukla is Astronaut #634.
The moment the astronauts entered the ISS
NASA Axiom 4 Mission Live Updates: Pressurisation checks underway after the Dragon spacecraft successfully docked with the International Space Station (ISS)
NASA Axiom 4 Mission Live Updates: Axiom crew, including Shubhanshu Shukla enter ISS!
NASA Axiom 4 Mission Live Updates: ISS all set for hatch opening
NASA Axiom 4 Mission Live Updates: Shukla and team awaiting the go for hatch opening
Axiom 4 Mission Live Updates: Mission commander Peggy calls for hatch opening. "Waiting the go for hatch opening," she says while waiting inside the Ax-4 Dragon spacecraft.
The crew seems all excited to enter and float in the ISS, says SpaceX.
The crew seems all excited to enter and float in the ISS, says SpaceX.
NASA Axiom 4 Mission Live Updates: Hatch opening procedure level 1 completed
Axiom 4 Mission Live Updates: The Ax-4 crew will soon meet the ISS team for the welcome remarks.
NASA Axiom 4 Mission Live Updates: Crew to now conduct microgravity experiments
NASA Axiom 4 Mission Live Updates: Pressure checks underway
NASA Axiom 4 Mission Live Updates: Ax-4 mission crew members Shubhanshu Shukla and others have reached the space.
They will soon step out of the Dragon spacecraft after the pressurisation process is complete.
They will soon step out of the Dragon spacecraft after the pressurisation process is complete.
NASA Axiom 4 Mission Live Updates: Welcome remarks by ISS to be held at 7:05 pm
Axiom 4 Mission Live Updates: The International Space Centre will deliver welcome remarks to Shubhanshu Shukla and crew at 7:05 PM IST after the Ax-4 mission team makes its way to ISS vessel.
NASA Axiom 4 Mission Live Updates: Hatch opening procedures begin
NASA Axiom 4 Mission Live Updates: Audio disconnected for 5 mins
Axiom 4 Mission Live Updates: ISS is troubleshooting an audio communication issue in the spacecraft.
The communication is disconnected for 5 mins amid issues in audio.
The communication is disconnected for 5 mins amid issues in audio.
NASA Axiom 4 Mission Live Updates: Pilot Shubhanshu Shukla's mother gets emotional as son reaches space
NASA Axiom 4 Mission Live Updates: Hatches to be opened after 2 hrs
Axiom 4 Mission Live Updates: The ISS shared that the hatches will be opened after 2 hours of checking the vessel and correcting pressure in the Dragon spacecraft.
NASA Axiom 4 Mission Live Updates: Soon the Ax-4 astronauts will open the hatch and greet the Exp 73 crew
NASA Axiom 4 Mission Live Updates: First welcome remark from ISS
Axiom 4 Mission Live Updates: Axiom-4 mission receives first welcome remark from International Space Station saying "We are excited to welcome you...will see you soon."
"We are honoured to be here," replies Peggy from Ax-4.
"We are honoured to be here," replies Peggy from Ax-4.
NASA Axiom 4 Mission Live Updates: Docking sequence complete!
NASA Axiom 4 Mission Live Updates: Dragon Grace completes docking sequence at ISS.
NASA Axiom 4 Mission Live Updates: Dragon spacecraft hard capture complete
Axiom 4 Mission Live Updates: Dragon Grace spacecraft completes hard capture between Dragon and ISS.
Once docking completes, the ISS will establish umbilical connection with Dragon, supplying electricity to the spacecraft.
Once docking completes, the ISS will establish umbilical connection with Dragon, supplying electricity to the spacecraft.
NASA Axiom 4 Mission Live Updates: First set of docking complete at ISS
Axiom 4 Mission Live Updates: After soft capturing of the Axiom-4 mission at the ISS, NASA confirms first set of docking completed.
NASA Axiom 4 Mission Live Updates: SpaceX confirms Ax-4 mission docking
NASA Axiom 4 Mission Live Updates: Visuals of dragon spacecraft carrying Axiom-4 mission docking at ISS
Axiom 4 Mission Live Updates: Dragon Grace docks at ISS successfully
Axiom 4 Mission Live Updates: Dragon Grace spacecraft carrying pilot Shubhanshu Shukla and crew makes its first soft contact with the ISS dock area at 6:31 AM EST.
NASA Axiom 4 Mission Live Updates: Dragon 10 mts away from ISS
NASA Axiom 4 Mission Live Updates: Dragon Grace approaches ISS for docking
Axiom 4 Mission Live Updates: Dragon Grace moves past Waypoint 2 and approaches ISS for docking.
NASA Axiom 4 Mission Live Updates: Ax-4 to reach next milestone soon
Axiom 4 Mission Live Updates: Ax-4 is about to reach Waypoint 2, located 20m away from the International Space Station (ISS).
The crew plans to pass the milestone without a hault.
The crew plans to pass the milestone without a hault.
NASA Axiom 4 Mission Live Updates: Visuals from Dragon spacecraft from ISS
Source: NASA
NASA Axiom 4 Mission Live Updates: Dragon Grace passes major milestone on its journey to ISS
Axiom 4 Mission Live Updates: Dragon Grace spacecraft carrying Shukla and crew crosses Waypoint 1 which is just 220m away from the International Space Station.
NASA Axiom 4 Mission Live Updates: ISS all set to welcome Axiom-4
Source: SpaceX
NASA Axiom 4 Mission Live Updates: Dragon to get docking access in 5 mins
Axiom 4 Mission Live Updates: As soon as the Dragon Grace spacecraft crosses Waypoint 1 milestone, it will docking access from the International Space Station.
The spacecraft will align itself to move towards the docking area of the ISS.
The spacecraft will align itself to move towards the docking area of the ISS.
NASA Axiom 4 Mission Live Updates: Dragon Grace spacecraft crosses Waypoint 0
Axiom 4 Mission Live Updates: Dragon Grace spacecraft carrying Axiom-4 mission has crossed a major milestone Waypoint 0, located 400m away from ISS.
NASA Axiom 4 Mission Live Updates: Dragon spacecraft only 9 minutes away from next milestone
Axiom 4 Mission Live Updates: Dragon spacecraft carrying Axiom-4 mission crew is just 9 minutes away from its next major milestone - Waypoint 1 which is only 220m away from ISS docking site.
NASA Axiom 4 Mission Live Updates: The SpaceX Dragon carrying the Axiom Mission 4 crew approaches ISS
NASA Axiom 4 Mission Live Updates: Dragon 'Grace' approaching ISS for docking
Source: NASA
NASA Axiom 4 Mission Live Updates: Visuals from the Ax-4 mission Dragon spacecraft
Axiom 4 Mission Live Updates: Shubhanshu Shukla and Peggy Whitson making the Dragon spacecraft ready for docking at ISS.
(Source: NASA)
(Source: NASA)
NASA Axiom 4 Mission Live Updates: ISS spots Dragon spacecraft approaching towards it
Axiom 4 Mission Live Updates: Visuals from the International Space Centre spotting the Dragon spacecraft of Axiom-4 Mission.
NASA Axiom 4 Mission Live Updates: ISS comes in focus of Dragon cam
Axiom 4 Mission Live Updates: The International Space Centre is in focus of the Dragon spacecraft's camera.
"Dragon seems to be looking up to ISS as the journey continues," said SpaceX.
"Dragon seems to be looking up to ISS as the journey continues," said SpaceX.
NASA Axiom 4 Mission Live Updates: Dragon approaches the station for a docking at around 6:18am ET today.
Axiom 4 Mission Live Updates: ISS announces latest dock timing for Axiom-4. The Dragon spacecraft is expected to dock at around 6:18 AM EST (3:48 PM IST).
NASA Axiom 4 Mission Live Updates: Livestreaming for Axiom-4 spacecraft begins
Axiom 4 Mission Live Updates: NASA, SpaceX and Axiom Space collaboratively start livestreaming the Axiom-4 spacecraft.
Click here to watch
Click here to watch
NASA Axiom 4 Mission Live Updates: ISS all set to welcome Shubhanshu Shukla & crew
Axiom 4 Mission Live Updates: Once the Axiom-4 spacecraft docks at the International Space Station (ISS), expedition 73 crew members, including NASA astronauts, Nicole Ayers, Anne McClain, and Jonny Kim, JAXA (Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency) astronaut Takuya Onishi, and Roscosmos cosmonauts Kirill Peskov, Sergey Ryzhikov, and Alexey Zubritsky will welcome the astronauts.
Nasa Axiom 4 Mission Live Updates: Ax-4 may autonomously dock at ISS about 30 minutes early
Axiom 4 Mission Live Updates: Ax-4 mission spacecraft is running ahead of schedule. The vessel may dock around 6:30 AM EST (4:00 PM IST).
"The spacecraft is ahead of schedule and may autonomously dock about 30 minutes early at approximately 6:30 a.m. to the space-facing port of the space station’s Harmony module," NASA said.
"The spacecraft is ahead of schedule and may autonomously dock about 30 minutes early at approximately 6:30 a.m. to the space-facing port of the space station’s Harmony module," NASA said.
Nasa Axiom 4 Mission Live Updates: Shubhanshu Shukla explains why are they carrying toy swan 'Joy' to space
Nasa Axiom 4 Mission Live Updates: 'I am learning like a baby,' says Shubhanshu Shukla from space mission Axiom-4
Axiom 4 Mission Live Updates: "I am learning many new things here. Learning how to eat, learning how to control yourself, learning everything new...I am learning like a baby," said Shubhanshu Shukla while sharing updates from space on Day-2 of Axiom-4 mission, soon to land on International Space Station (ISS).
Read More: Shubhanshu Shukla explains why he is feeling like a baby in space
Read More: Shubhanshu Shukla explains why he is feeling like a baby in space
Nasa Axiom 4 Mission Live Updates: Axiom Space shares recap of the Ax-4 launch
Nasa Axiom 4 Mission Live Updates: Who is Shubhanshu Shukla, leading India's space dreams after 40 years?
Axiom 4 Mission Live Updates: A Group Captain in the Indian Air Force, Shubhanshu Shukla was selected to be part of India's astronaut corps in 2019 along with fellow officers Prasanth Balkrishnan Nair, Angad Pratap and Ajit Krishnan for the Gaganyaan mission which is likely to be launched in 2027.
Born on October 10, 1985, in Lucknow, Shukla did his schooling from City Montessori School before joining the National Defence Academy.
He was commissioned into the Indian Air Force in 2006, and has over 2,000 hours of flying time on a wide range of aircraft including the Su-30 MKI, MiG-29, Jaguar, and Dornier-228.
He holds an MTech in Aerospace Engineering from the Indian Institute of Science, Bengaluru.
Shukla and the three other Gaganyaan astronaut designates underwent extensive training at Russia's Gagarin Cosmonaut Training Centre and ISRO's Astronaut Training Facility in Bengaluru.
Shukla's crewmates on the Axiom-4 mission, commander Peggy Whitson and mission specialists Tibor Kapu from Hungary and Slawosz Uznanski-Wisniewski from Poland, describe him as "operational-savvy", "focused" and "wicked smart" when it comes to space technologies.
Born on October 10, 1985, in Lucknow, Shukla did his schooling from City Montessori School before joining the National Defence Academy.
He was commissioned into the Indian Air Force in 2006, and has over 2,000 hours of flying time on a wide range of aircraft including the Su-30 MKI, MiG-29, Jaguar, and Dornier-228.
He holds an MTech in Aerospace Engineering from the Indian Institute of Science, Bengaluru.
Shukla and the three other Gaganyaan astronaut designates underwent extensive training at Russia's Gagarin Cosmonaut Training Centre and ISRO's Astronaut Training Facility in Bengaluru.
Shukla's crewmates on the Axiom-4 mission, commander Peggy Whitson and mission specialists Tibor Kapu from Hungary and Slawosz Uznanski-Wisniewski from Poland, describe him as "operational-savvy", "focused" and "wicked smart" when it comes to space technologies.
Nasa Axiom 4 Mission Live Updates: What are objectives of Shukla's mission to space
Axiom 4 mission live updates: Shukla is set to conduct exclusive food and nutrition-related experiments developed under a collaboration between the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) and the Department of Biotechnology (DBT), with support from NASA.
The experiments aim to pioneer space nutrition and self-sustaining life support systems vital for future long-duration space travel.
ISRO has lined up a set of seven experiments for Shukla, who will also participate in five joint studies planned by NASA for its human research program.
It has drawn up plans to focus on India-centric food for carrying out experiments on the ISS, including sprouting methi (fenugreek) and moong (green gram) in microgravity conditions.
Shukla will also expose the seeds to the macrobiotic conditions and bring them back to earth where they will be cultivated into plants not just once but over generations.
Shukla's experience on the Axiom Mission 4 would be very well utilised on the ISRO's Gaganyaan space flight mission which is planned for 2027. ISRO is spending Rs 550 crore on the Axiom-4 mission.
Read More: Shubhanshu Shukla Space Experiments: Indian astronaut to grow methi, moong daal and study tardigrades in microgravity
The experiments aim to pioneer space nutrition and self-sustaining life support systems vital for future long-duration space travel.
ISRO has lined up a set of seven experiments for Shukla, who will also participate in five joint studies planned by NASA for its human research program.
It has drawn up plans to focus on India-centric food for carrying out experiments on the ISS, including sprouting methi (fenugreek) and moong (green gram) in microgravity conditions.
Shukla will also expose the seeds to the macrobiotic conditions and bring them back to earth where they will be cultivated into plants not just once but over generations.
Shukla's experience on the Axiom Mission 4 would be very well utilised on the ISRO's Gaganyaan space flight mission which is planned for 2027. ISRO is spending Rs 550 crore on the Axiom-4 mission.
Read More: Shubhanshu Shukla Space Experiments: Indian astronaut to grow methi, moong daal and study tardigrades in microgravity
Nasa Axiom 4 Mission Live Updates: Pilot Shubhanshu Shukla delivers his first address from space
Nasa Axiom 4 Mission Live Updates: "The tricolour on my shoulder reminds me that India stands with me. I want all my countrymen to be part of this journey. Jai Hind, Jai Bharat," said Shukla from space.
Shukla begins his address saying, "It was a fabulous ride (Kamaal ki ride thi)"
Read More: Shubhanshu Shukla's first words from SpaceX's Falcon-9 rocket after lift off
Shukla begins his address saying, "It was a fabulous ride (Kamaal ki ride thi)"
Read More: Shubhanshu Shukla's first words from SpaceX's Falcon-9 rocket after lift off
Nasa Axiom 4 Mission Live Updates: Axiom-4 Mission launched successfully on June 25
Axiom 4 Mission Live Updates: Axiom-4 was launched successfully at 12:01 PM IST on Wednesday.
The Axiom-4 mission launched on June 25, 2025, at 12:01 PM IST from NASA’s Kennedy Space Center. Shubhanshu Shukla, the Group Captain became the first Indian to visit the International Space Station (ISS). He is the second Indian in space, after Rakesh Sharma in 1984. Other crew members include Peggy Whitson (USA), Tibor Kapu (Hungary), and Slawosz Uznanski-Wisniewski (Poland).
The Axiom-4 mission launched on June 25, 2025, at 12:01 PM IST from NASA’s Kennedy Space Center. Shubhanshu Shukla, the Group Captain became the first Indian to visit the International Space Station (ISS). He is the second Indian in space, after Rakesh Sharma in 1984. Other crew members include Peggy Whitson (USA), Tibor Kapu (Hungary), and Slawosz Uznanski-Wisniewski (Poland).
- The mission uses a SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket operated by Axiom Space.
- Shukla will perform 7 India-led experiments, including work on seeds, algae, and human physiology in microgravity.
- Prime Minister Modi called it a proud moment for 1.4 billion Indians.
- The mission will dock with the ISS on June 26 and last about two weeks.
- Rakesh Sharma gave his blessings and shared advice with Shukla ahead of the mission.
