The astronauts are scheduled to arrive at the International Space Station following a 28-hour journey, docking with the orbital outpost as both spacecraft travel together approximately 400 kilometers above Earth.
Indian Air Force Officer Soars into Space Aboard SpaceX Falcon 9
In a historic launch on Tuesday, a SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket successfully lifted off from NASA’s Kennedy Space Center in Florida, carrying four astronauts to the International Space Station (ISS). Among them was Group Captain Shubhanshu Shukla of the Indian Air Force, who has now become the second Indian to travel to space.
Just under eight minutes after liftoff, the rocket’s reusable booster stage returned safely to Earth, completing yet another successful landing—SpaceX’s 451st to date. Meanwhile, the Crew Dragon capsule continued its journey to the ISS, where it is expected to dock after approximately 28 hours in orbit.
The launch, part of Axiom Mission 4 (Ax-4), had already been postponed six times due to various technical and weather-related issues. A seventh delay seemed imminent due to a software glitch that temporarily blocked the upload of crucial weather data. However, engineers resolved the issue minutes before the scheduled launch, and at 12:01 PM IST, the Falcon 9’s powerful Merlin engines ignited, sending the crew into space.
Falcon 9 is a two-stage, reusable rocket developed by SpaceX. It is the world’s first orbital-class rocket capable of reusability, designed to dramatically reduce the cost of space missions. Powered by nine Merlin engines that burn rocket-grade kerosene and liquid oxygen, the first stage separates after reaching a set altitude and speed, returning autonomously to Earth for reuse.
The Crew Dragon capsule now carries the four astronauts—representing India, the United States, Poland, and Hungary—toward the ISS, orbiting roughly 400 kilometers (250 miles) above Earth. Over the next 14 days, the team will conduct 60 scientific experiments, including seven proposed by Indian institutions.
As the spacecraft soared into orbit, Shukla’s first words from space resonated with national pride:
“We are orbiting the Earth. This is the start of India’s human space program. Jai Hind, Jai Bharat.”