Shukla’s work, life, and ethic aboard the ISS would be a forerunner to India’s adventures and capabilities in space and science.
Published Jun 26, 2025 | 8:28 PM ⚊ Updated Jun 26, 2025 | 8:28 PM
Axiom 4 Dragon Grace Spacecraft crew enters the International Space Station. (Screengrab)
Synopsis: As of 26 June 2025, over 285 individuals from 23 countries have visited the ISS, and over 680 people from 47 countries have reached space. Shubhanshu Shukla’s journey is not new, but if you consider the history of humankind and a world population of around 9 billion, his presence inside the ISS at 5.54 pm IST places him and India among the elites.
There is risk in technology creation, deployment, and operations, but when the three work to perfection, it is indeed a marvel of science and engineering.
This perfection, marvel, and realisation, in this instance, was seen on Thursday, 26 June, in the remarkably precise docking rendezvous of the Axiom 4 Dragon Grace Spacecraft with the International Space Station (ISS) at 4.02 pm (5.31 am – American time) IST. The ISS was then orbiting over the North American, Canadian, and North Atlantic regions.
The precision is fascinating and astonishing, given that it is happening 400 km above Earth, where there are no chances, unlike fitting a screw into a table or car back on terra firma. The docking happened even as the ISS was orbiting Earth at 17,500 mph (28,000 km/hr). Every equation and calculation will have to be on the dot, because one mistake could change things.
The beauty of science and the brilliance of scientists and engineers were evident in many ways in this flight, but the scintillating moment came when the Dragon Spacecraft connected to the ISS dock precisely, and after a few moments, when the 12 locks secured the craft to the ISS. This is automatic and worked out in advance. The journey took a little over 24 hours, with the docking on the ISS signalling India’s arrival at the ISS 40 years after Squadron Leader Rakesh Sharma’s space odyssey on a Soviet rocket.
The moment the spacecraft docked, the ISS commander spoke out to the Astronauts, ‘Welcome to the ISS,’ at 4.16 pm IST. Peggy Whitson, lead pilot and commander of Axiom 4, replied instantly, “We are honored to be here.”
“Happy to be here finally. It was a long quarantine.” Peggy then shared the pin with Group Captain and the mission’s pilot, Shubhanshu Shukla.
“It’s a privilege to see the Earth from space, always wanted to. A great ride, and more than that, you opened the doors for me and made me feel welcome. We hope to get to work soon and do good science,” the Indian said.
With the ISS now having seven Astronauts, the arrival of the four new members brings the total team to 11. Interestingly, all of them speak different languages, eat different food, and come from different cultures, but focus on a universal task. The revelations from these endeavors would stand future missions in good stead.
The liftoff, the journey, and arrival, and finally the entry into the ISS are certainly technical, but a highly emotional one too, particularly for astronauts undertaking this endeavor first time. Shukla was on point when he said that this entire space journey for him was a moment and a world larger than himself.
Watch Dragon and the Ax-4 astronauts dock with the @Space_Station https://t.co/ObPHodyVlf
— SpaceX (@SpaceX) June 26, 2025
Once inside the ISS, post-greetings and hugs and affections, there’s a lot of work to do – very technical and hectic. Given that Shukla and companions have only 14 days to get work done, life will be quick. Every bit of work, experiment, and research routine is pre-programmed, and objectives have to be achieved. Other Astronauts on other missions have stayed on for 100 or even 200 days, which gives them time to conduct deep research and await results. Shukla doesn’t have that comfort.
However, given his discipline, focus, and work ethic, he will most likely realise mission objectives to a reasonable extent. Someone who has lived through flights like the SU-30 or the MiGs and who has survived rigorous training at astronaut centers for over 2 years is evidence that he gets work done, is focused, confident, and intelligent. His academic and non-academic experiences (flying is also academic, even if it is practical, because you study and grasp a lot of flight variables while in the cockpit) are evidence that he knows his stuff and surely would not have been second-in-command on the Axiom-4 Mission.
As a former Axiom mission commander put it, apart from the camaraderie, astronauts shoulder great responsibility on the ISS. Shukla is responsible not only for himself, but ISRO, the space, science, and engineering community, and for the entire nation. After today, Shukla’s work, life, and ethic aboard the ISS would be a forerunner to India’s adventures and capabilities in space and science.
(P Ramanujam is a Science, Space, and Technology Commentator. Views are personal. Edited by Majnu Babu).
