In a landmark moment for Indian space exploration, Shubhanshu Shukla, the first Indian astronaut to visit the International Space Station (ISS), has successfully completed his first full day in orbit aboard the ISS as part of Axiom Mission 4 (Ax-4). Shukla, known by his call sign "Shux", joined Commander Peggy Whitson, Mission Specialists Sławosz Uznański-Wiśniewski and Tibor Kapu on a journey that began with a flawless launch on June 25, 2025, from NASA’s Kennedy Space Center in Florida.

After a 28-hour journey, the SpaceX Dragon spacecraft, piloted by Shukla, docked with the Harmony module of the ISS at 6:31 a.m. ET (4:01 p.m. IST). Their arrival was celebrated at 8:14 a.m. ET (5:44 p.m. IST), marking India's historic entry into long-duration international spaceflight missions and placing Shubhanshu Shukla among the rare few to have experienced life aboard the ISS.

Adjusting to Microgravity: The First 24 Hours in Orbit

June 27 marked flight day three for the Ax-4 crew, including Shubhanshu Shukla, and their first full operational day aboard the ISS. Much of the day was spent adjusting to the effects of microgravity, with astronauts experiencing fluid shifts, balance recalibration, and disorientation — typical responses during the early days in orbit.

Shukla and the rest of the team immediately began working closely with the resident Expedition 73 crew, engaging in emergency procedure drills and handover protocol training. These exercises are critical in ensuring seamless integration between long-term station crew and short-term visiting astronauts, especially when coordinating activities related to logistics, safety, and research.

Transferring High-Priority Cargo from Dragon to ISS

One of the key responsibilities during the first operational day was the transfer of high-priority cargo and emergency equipment from the Dragon spacecraft to the ISS. This included scientific payloads, crew supplies, medical kits, and life-support system backups, all of which were carefully logged and placed in designated modules aboard the station.

These tasks are vital to ensuring that all essential systems remain operational and ready for mission activities. Shukla, in his role as pilot, was responsible for overseeing the technical transfer of materials, as well as performing systems checks on the Dragon capsule’s interface with the ISS modules.

Beginning Scientific Experiments and Preparations

In addition to logistics and training, the crew also initiated preparation for research activities that form the core objective of the Axiom-4 mission. Shukla and the rest of the team began setting up experimental modules, transferring sample kits, and ensuring that all scientific equipment was properly calibrated.

Over the coming days, they will conduct experiments in microgravity in fields ranging from biomedical sciences, material behaviour, human physiology, to space agriculture. These experiments are not only crucial to long-duration spaceflight research but also carry commercial and academic significance for both international collaborators and Indian institutions.

India’s Space Milestone: First Astronaut on ISS

The docking of the Ax-4 spacecraft and the successful first day of operations marked a historic moment for India, as Shubhanshu Shukla officially became the first Indian astronaut to enter and work aboard the ISS. Prior to him, Indian astronaut Rakesh Sharma flew aboard a Soviet Soyuz mission in 1984, but the International Space Station did not exist at that time.

This mission, therefore, symbolizes India’s entry into the collaborative space ecosystem of the 21st century, especially through partnerships with SpaceX, NASA, and Axiom Space.

The launch took place at 2:31 a.m. ET (12:01 p.m. IST) on June 25, and the entire journey — from liftoff to docking — went without incident. The Falcon 9 rocket successfully placed the Dragon capsule into orbit, which was then skillfully piloted by Shukla until automated docking procedures took over near the ISS.

Integration with Expedition 73 and International Collaboration

The Expedition 73 crew welcomed the Ax-4 team warmly, with both groups spending time on technical briefings, safety procedure updates, and interoperability tasks. Crew coordination is essential aboard the ISS, where astronauts from different space agencies work together to maintain station operations, conduct experiments, and respond to any emergency situations.

Shukla’s presence also reflects the growing globalisation of space efforts. He represents India’s expanding human spaceflight ambitions, and his success aboard the ISS will directly feed into ISRO’s Gaganyaan mission, which aims to place Indian astronauts in space on domestically developed launch systems.

Upcoming Tasks for Shubhanshu Shukla and Ax-4 Crew

Looking ahead, Shukla and the Ax-4 crew will:

• Continue experiment setup and data calibration across various ISS modules

• Participate in outreach sessions, communicating with students and scientists in India and around the world

• Undergo health monitoring and physical training to adjust further to microgravity and ensure long-term health stability

• Support station maintenance and systems checks, under supervision of the flight engineers aboard Expedition 73

The mission is expected to last approximately 14 days, after which the Dragon capsule will undock and return to Earth, carrying not only the astronauts but also experimental data, biological samples, and mission insights.

In conclusion, Shubhanshu Shukla’s first full day on the ISS marks a defining moment in India's space history. His activities aboard the station — from adjusting to microgravity, performing emergency training, to initiating scientific experiments — reflect the depth of preparation and international collaboration involved in human spaceflight missions.

As part of Axiom Mission 4, Shukla’s role goes beyond individual achievement. It signals India’s growing stake in global space exploration, its technological readiness, and its capacity to contribute meaningfully to the future of crewed missions. Over the coming days, his continued presence aboard the ISS will further inspire the next generation of Indian scientists, engineers, and space explorers, while providing valuable insights that could help shape the country’s upcoming Gaganyaan programme and beyond.

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