Indian Astronaut Shubhanshu Shukla to Dock with ISS Today

Shubhanshu Shukla to Dock with International Space Station

Syllabus: Science and Technology GS III (UPSC)

Why In News: Shubhanshu Shukla

Indian astronaut Group Captain Shubhanshu Shukla, part of the Axiom-4 (Ax-4) mission, will dock with the International Space Station (ISS) today at 4:30 PM IST, as per ISRO. Once docked, Shukla will become the first Indian to visit NASA’s orbiting laboratory, the ISS.

About Axiom-4 Mission:

The Axiom-4 mission launched from NASA’s Kennedy Space Center, Florida at 12:01 PM IST yesterday.
The crew includes:
- Group Captain Shubhanshu Shukla (India)
- Peggy Whitson (USA, former NASA astronaut)
- Slawosz Uznanski-Wisniewski (Poland)
- Tibor Kapu (Hungary)

Group Captain Shukla is the second Indian to travel to space, after Rakesh Sharma, who flew aboard a Russian Soyuz spacecraft in 1984, 41 years ago.

Key Highlights:

Shortly after lift-off, Shukla shared a message with fellow Indians:
“We are back in space after 41 years, and what an amazing ride it has been.”
Prime Minister Narendra Modi congratulated Shukla, stating he carries the wishes and hopes of 1.4 billion Indians.
In Lucknow, Shukla’s parents watched the launch with hundreds of school students and were welcomed with applause and music.

Who is Group Captain Shubhanshu Shukla?

Born on 10th October 1985, in Lucknow, Uttar Pradesh.
Joined the Indian Air Force as a fighter pilot in 2006.
Has flown various aircraft, including MiGs, Sukhois, Dorniers, Jaguars, and Hawks.
Over 2,000 hours of flying experience.

Shukla’s Role on the ISS:

The Ax-4 crew will spend two weeks aboard the ISS.
They will conduct around 60 scientific experiments, including 7 experiments from India, supported by ISRO.
Indian experiments focus on understanding space biology, microgravity, and agriculture.
One major study will test how space conditions affect six varieties of crop seeds, vital for future space farming research.

Conclusion:

Group Captain Shukla’s mission marks a historic moment for India’s space journey, contributing to global research and strengthening India’s role in human space exploration.