What happened?
Group Captain Shubhanshu Shukla became the second Indian astronaut to reach space on Thursday, June 26, 2025, and the first Indian to dock at the International Space Station (ISS). His journey aboard SpaceX’s Dragon spacecraft ‘Grace’ followed 41 years after Rakesh Sharma’s historic flight. The private mission, organised by Axiom Space, reached the ISS at 4:00 pm IST after a 14-hour journey from NASA’s Kennedy Space Center in Florida. Shukla, a pilot in the Indian Air Force, is part of Axiom Mission 4 (Ax-4) along with three other astronauts. During his two-week stay, Shukla will conduct experiments in food systems and space nutrition, in collaboration with ISRO, the Department of Biotechnology (DBT), and NASA. The research will examine how microgravity and radiation affect nutrient-rich edible microalgae, a potential food source for future long-duration space missions, by analysing changes in gene expression, protein synthesis, and metabolic activity.
Why it matters to India
This mission marks a significant milestone in India’s human spaceflight ambitions, paving the way for ISRO’s Gaganyaan mission scheduled for 2025. Shubhanshu Shukla becoming the first Indian to reach the ISS demonstrates India’s growing capabilities in space exploration and collaboration on an international level. The experiments on food systems and space nutrition conducted by Shukla are crucial for supporting India’s future long-duration space missions, contributing to the self-sufficiency of its space programme. This collaboration with NASA and other international partners also enhances India’s standing in the global space community and provides valuable research data for future endeavours.