Shubhanshu Shukla’s first video inside SpaceX Dragon released |
As the Axiom-4 mission successfully launched at 12:01 PM IST on June 25, 2025, from NASA’s Kennedy Space Center in Florida, SpaceX released the first video footage of Group Captain Shubhanshu Shukla inside the Crew Dragon spacecraft shortly before liftoff. The video showed the astronaut fully geared up alongside his three crewmates, capturing a historic moment as Shukla prepared for his journey to the International Space Station (ISS). This mission marks Shubhanshu Shukla as the first Indian to travel to the ISS aboard a commercial crew mission and only the second Indian astronaut in space after Wing Commander Rakesh Sharma’s 1984 Soviet mission.
Successful launch of Axiom-4 and journey to space
The SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket lifted off from the iconic Launch Complex 39A, the same site where Neil Armstrong began his Apollo 11 mission to the moon in 1969. Along with Shukla, the crew includes mission commander Peggy Whitson from the US, and mission specialists Sławosz Uznański-Wiśniewski of Poland and Tibor Kapu of Hungary. The team is now en route to the ISS, traveling at approximately 7.5 kilometers per second.
Inside the Dragon: Shubhanshu Shukla’s historic moment
The video footage released by SpaceX shortly before launch showed Shukla seated calmly inside the Dragon capsule, confirming readiness for the mission. After liftoff, Shukla communicated with mission control expressing pride and excitement, saying, “Namaskar, my dear countrymen; we have reached space after 41 years. It was a great ride. I have the Indian tricolour on my shoulders.” He highlighted that this mission is the beginning of India’s human spaceflight program and invited all Indians to share in this historic achievement.
Docking scheduled and mission objectives
The Crew Dragon is scheduled to dock autonomously with the ISS’s Harmony module on June 26, 2025, at approximately 4:30 PM IST. The crew will spend about two weeks aboard the station conducting over 60 scientific experiments, including seven proposed by Indian researchers. The research covers human health, Earth observation, and life sciences, involving collaboration from 31 countries, making this the most internationally diverse commercial mission to date. The astronauts will also participate in STEM outreach activities to inspire students and the public worldwide.
A milestone in NASA-ISRO collaboration
This mission represents a major milestone in the partnership between NASA and ISRO, fulfilling commitments made by former US President Donald Trump and Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi to deepen bilateral cooperation in space exploration. The collaboration includes multiple scientific projects and technology demonstrations aboard the ISS, showcasing the strength of international teamwork.
India’s expanding space ambitions
Shubhanshu Shukla’s role as Mission Pilot on this historic commercial flight underscores India’s growing presence in global space exploration. The mission paves the way for future Indian projects such as the Gaganyaan human spaceflight mission and the planned Bharat Antariksh Station, marking a new era in India’s space science and technology endeavors.
