Indian astronaut Group Captain Shubhanshu Shukla scripted history on Thursday as the Dragon capsule of the Axiom-4 Mission successfully docked at the International Space Station (ISS) on Thursday. Grp Cpt Shukla has become the first Indian astronaut to reach the ISS.
The Indian Air Force (IAF) officer is serving as the pilot of the mission. Former NASA astronaut Peggy Whitson is the commander of the mission. European Space Agency (ESA) astronauts Slawosz Uznanski-Wisniewski of Poland, and Tibor Kapu of Hungary are mission specialists.
Moments When Dragon Capsule Docked At ISS:
The astronauts will spend two weeks aboard the orbiting laboratory. They will conduct a mission comprising science, outreach, and commercial activities.
Earlier, in a live interaction from aboard the spacecraft, Grp Cpt Shukla, described the launch as "magical" and reflected on his journey.
"I am thrilled to be here with my fellow astronauts--what a ride it was. Honestly, as I sat in the capsule 'Grace' on the launchpad yesterday after 30 days of quarantine, all I could think was: just go. When the launch finally happened, it was something else entirely. You're pushed back into the seat--and then suddenly, there's silence. You're just floating in the vacuum, and it's absolutely magical," The ISRO astronaut said.
Grp Cpt Shukla's First Message After Lift-Off:
It was Shukla's second message from space. In his first message from space, Grp Cpt Shukla had said, "Namaskar Mere Pyare Deshwasiyon. Kaafi Saal Baad Hum Phir Wapas Antariksh Mein Pohonch Gaye Hain. Kamaal Ki Ride Thi. Mere saath Mere Kande Pe Tiranga Hai (Namaskar, my beloved countrymen. After so many years we reached space. It was a very exciting ride. Tircolour is with me on my shoulder)."
He finished his message with "Jai Hind, Jai Bharat".
Shukla has become the first Indian to travel to space in 41 years. He is also the first Indian to travel to the International Space Station (ISS).
