**Historic Space Voyage: Indian Astronaut Shubhanshu Shukla Embarks on ISS Mission**

The Axiom-4 mission, featuring a multinational crew, aims to advance scientific research while inspiring future generations in space exploration.

 

Astronaut Shubhanshu Shukla is making headlines as he embarks on a groundbreaking journey to the International Space Station (ISS), marking him as the first Indian to step foot on this pivotal platform. Under the Axiom-4 (Ax-4) initiative, led by former NASA star Peggy Whitson, Shukla joins an international team comprised of Poland's Slawosz Uznanski-Wisniewski and Hungary's Tibor Kapu. Their journey commenced from NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Florida early Wednesday with a well-coordinated liftoff at 02:31 EDT (06:31 GMT; 12:01 India time), garnering significant attention from space enthusiasts and partners alike.

Only the second Indian to journey to space, Shukla's historic mission comes more than four decades after Rakesh Sharma's debut with a Russian Soyuz spacecraft in 1984. Scheduled to spend two weeks aboard the ISS, the Ax-4 crew is set to conduct a whopping 60 scientific experiments, including seven specifically designed by the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO). The space research is a vital stepping stone for India's ambitious plans for human spaceflight, aiming to launch their first mission in 2027.

Axiom Space, which manages Ax-4, has underlined the mission's collaborative nature. With strong partnerships from NASA, ISRO, the European Space Agency (ESA), and SpaceX, both European astronauts participating in Ax-4 will also celebrate their return to space after a lengthy hiatus. ISRO's investment of 5 billion rupees (approximately $59 million) for Shukla's seat signifies a strategic commitment to elevate India's presence in space exploration.

During a live uplink session, Shukla shared his enthusiasm about his first experience floating in space, humorously commenting on the surreal sensation of weightlessness. He noted the joyful challenges of adapting to life in microgravity, akin to "learning anew" as he floated and savored the mesmerizing views from his extraordinary viewpoint.

Adding a unique element to the crew's dynamic, a small toy swan named Joy has been designated as the mission's "zero-G indicator." As described by the Axiom team, Joy embodies wisdom while serving as a lighthearted companion for the astronauts amidst their scientific endeavors. Commander Whitson emphasized the vehicle's name, "Grace," portraying the elegance of their cosmic travels and the broader significance of their mission—reflecting goodwill and the shared human spirit that transcends boundaries through the exploration of space.