Follow Group Captain Shubhanshu Shukla’s Historic Space Mission in Real Time
Space enthusiasts now have an exciting opportunity to monitor the voyage of Group Captain Shubhanshu Shukla as he embarks on a groundbreaking mission to the International Space Station (ISS). The Axiom-4 mission, launched recently, marks a significant milestone not only for India but also for Poland and Hungary, as it brings astronauts from these three nations to space for the first time in nearly five decades.
Axiom-4 Mission: Journey and Objectives
After numerous delays, the Axiom-4 mission successfully lifted off at 2:31 am EDT (12:01 pm IST) from NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Florida onboard SpaceX’s Falcon 9 rocket. The crew, including Group Captain Shukla and three fellow astronauts, are on a 28 and a half hour journey to dock with the ISS.
Once aboard, they will spend 14 days conducting over 60 microgravity experiments aimed at advancing scientific knowledge. This mission serves as a critical stepping stone for India's ambitious human spaceflight program, Gaganyaan, targeted for launch by 2027.
Tracking the Spacecraft’s Progress
Currently, Shukla’s spacecraft is orbiting Earth at an impressive speed of approximately 26,500 km/h at an altitude near 413 km. Having already spent more than 21 hours and 46 minutes in space, the crew is anticipated to rendezvous with the ISS around 7 am EST (4:30 pm IST).
For those eager to follow their journey live, real-time tracking tools are available online, allowing enthusiasts to watch the spacecraft’s progress as it orbits our planet.
Historical Significance for India, Poland, and Hungary
- India: Shubhanshu Shukla is the first Indian astronaut in space since Rakesh Sharma, who flew to the Salyut 7 space station back in 1984.
- Poland: Miroslaw Hermaszewski was their last space traveler, reaching Salyut 6 in 1978.
- Hungary: The previous Hungarian cosmonaut, Bertalan Farkas, completed his mission aboard Soyuz 36 in 1980.
Shukla’s journey symbolizes a new era for these countries’ involvement in human spaceflight.
Words from Group Captain Shubhanshu Shukla
Moments after liftoff, Shukla expressed his excitement in Hindi, stating, “What a fantastic ride”. He added, “This is not just my journey to the International Space Station — it’s the beginning of India's human space programme.”
His statement underscores the mission's far-reaching significance for India's space ambitions.
