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**Summary:**

Indian Air Force Group Captain Shubhanshu Shukla made history on June 26, 2025, as the first Indian to enter the International Space Station (ISS). He was part of the Axiom Mission 4 (Ax-4), a commercial mission that docked successfully with the ISS. This mission is a stepping stone for Group Captain Shukla’s participation in Gaganyaan, India’s first human spaceflight mission. ISRO invested in Ax-4 to include Shukla, along with Prasanth Nair as a back-up. The Ax-4 crew will spend two weeks at the ISS conducting scientific experiments, including eight from ISRO, and assisting with station maintenance. The launch, initially planned for May 29, was delayed multiple times.

**News Article:**

**Indian Astronaut Makes History, Enters International Space Station**

**Cape Canaveral, FL – June 27, 2025:** Indian Air Force Group Captain Shubhanshu Shukla became the first Indian national to enter the International Space Station (ISS) on Thursday, June 26, 2025, marking a monumental achievement for India’s space program. As part of the Axiom Mission 4 (Ax-4), a commercial mission orchestrated by Axiom Space, Group Captain Shukla and three other astronauts successfully docked with the ISS at 4:01 p.m. IST as the spacecraft passed over the north Atlantic Ocean.

“Namaskar from space,” Group Captain Shukla said in his native tongue as he greeted his homeland from orbit.

The mission, which launched from Florida on Wednesday, is a crucial step in preparing Group Captain Shukla for Gaganyaan, India’s ambitious first human spaceflight mission planned by the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) for no earlier than 2026. ISRO invested over ₹500 crore to secure Shukla’s participation in Ax-4. Prasanth Nair, also designated for Gaganyaan, served as part of the back-up crew for Ax-4.

Union Minister of State for Space Jitendra Singh lauded the achievement, stating in a post on X, “Shubhanshu stands at the threshold entrance of International Space Station… as the world watches with excitement and expectation.”

During their two-week stay on the ISS, the crew will conduct scientific experiments, including eight sponsored by ISRO, and contribute to the station’s maintenance. The Ax-4 mission faced multiple delays, originally targeting a launch date of May 29, 2025, but the successful docking marks a significant milestone for international collaboration in space exploration and for India’s burgeoning space program.

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