Group Captain Shubhanshu Shukla marks the India’s second man to successfully reached Earth’s orbit on June 25. He became only the second Indian to travel to space, following Rakesh Sharma’s mission in 1984. His launch from NASA’s spaceport in Florida was part of a commercial mission organised by Axiom Space.
Within just 10 minutes of launch, the SpaceX Dragon spacecraft, named Grace, entered orbit. Shukla’s journey is not only a personal achievement but also a proud moment for India’s space programme, which is entering a new era of human spaceflight.
The Dragon capsule is scheduled to dock with the International Space Station (ISS) on June 26. During the 14-day mission, the team will take part in several scientific studies and outreach activities. Shukla, representing India, will carry out a series of experiments designed by ISRO in collaboration with the Department of Biotechnology. These will focus on food and nutrition in space, including growing fenugreek and green gram in microgravity.
In addition to his scientific work, Shubhanshu Shukla is expected to interact with school children, India’s space experts team, and Prime Minister Narendra Modi during the mission. His participation aims to inspire a new generation of scientists and astronauts while highlighting India’s growing presence in the international space community.
The mission also represents a joint effort involving astronauts from Poland and Hungary, symbolising a broader cooperation in space exploration. For India, this marks the beginning of a renewed commitment to human spaceflight and innovation.