Shubhanshu Shukla & crew float into International Space Station to warm hugs: Watch historic moments in pictures, videos

Shubhanshu Shukla created history on Thursday by becoming the first Indian to enter the International Space Station along with the Axiom-4 crew members. The historic moment was captured live by NASA and Axiom with a live stream and multiple photos.

The SpaceX Dragon spacecraft carrying four Axiom Mission 4 (Ax-4) crew members including Mission Pilot Group Captain Shubhanshu Shukla docked at the International Space Station earlier.

Shortly after hatch opening, the astronauts entered the ISS and were seen celebrating the historic arrival, with smiles, waves, and brief greetings exchanged with the onboard crew.


Here are a few pictures of the historic moment.

The spacecraft, named Grace, achieved a soft capture with the space station at 4:01 pm IST over the North Atlantic ocean.

This is the first time an Indian astronaut has travelled to the International Space Station.

A live video link from NASA showed the spacecraft approaching the space station and the docking sequence was completed at 4:15 pm IST.


NASA Flight Engineers Anne McClain and Nichole Ayers monitored Dragon's automated approach and docking manoeuvres.

Dragon was also carrying Ax-4 Commander Peggy Whitson, and Mission Specialists Slawosz Uznanski-Wisniewski and Tibor Kapu docked to the Harmony module's space-facing port.

A big opportunity for Shubhanshu Shukla

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.

In his remarks from onboard the Dragon spacecraft, Shukla said, "Namaskar, my dear countrymen, what a ride. We are back in the space once again after 41 years. It's an amazing ride. We are revolving around the Earth at a speed of 7.5 kilometres per second. The Tiranga embossed on my shoulders tells me I am with you all. This journey of mine is not a beginning to the International Space Station (ISS) but to India's Human Space Programme. I want all of you to be part of this journey. Your chest, too, should swell with pride. You all also show excitement. Together, let's initiate India's Human Space Programme. Jai Hind! Jai Bharat!"

The astronauts plan to spend up to 14 days aboard the orbiting laboratory, conducting a mission that will include science, outreach, and commercial activities.

This will be the most research and science-related activities conducted on an Axiom Space mission aboard the International Space Station.

NASA and ISRO (Indian Space Research Organisation) are collaborating to launch several scientific investigations. These studies include examining muscle regeneration, growth of sprouts and edible microalgae, survival of tiny aquatic organisms, and human interaction with electronic displays in microgravity. The first private astronaut mission to the station, Axiom Mission 1, lifted off in April 2022 for a 17-day mission aboard the orbiting laboratory.