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Shubhanshu Shukla Axiom-4 Mission Live Updates: The Axiom-4 mission carrying Indian astronaut Shubhanshu Shukla finally launched on a historic space mission from Kennedy Space Centre in Florida on Wednesday, docked at the Space Station at 6:30 am ET (4:00 pm IST).
As the Dragon Spacecraft completed docking, the family members of Shubhanshu Shukla expressed pride. The family was present at the Indian astronaut’s school, watching the live telecast. Holding Tiranga in their hands, they were seen smiling proudly.
Shukla, an Indian Air Force pilot and ISRO astronaut, is the pilot of the Axiom-4 mission, making him the second Indian to venture into space after a gap of 40 years since Rakesh Sharma’s legendary spaceflight in 1984. His journey not only symbolizes India’s return to human spaceflight but also reflects the nation’s growing ambitions in global space exploration.
Axiom-4 commander Peggy Whitson and mission specialists Sławosz Uznański-Wiśniewski and Tibor Kapu are accompanying Shukla to the space station. After docking, the Axiom-4 astronauts will greet the seven Expedition 73 crewmates, call down to Earth for welcoming remarks, then participate in a safety briefing with the station residents, NASA said.
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Axiom Astronauts, Including Shubhanshu Shukla, Set Foot On ISS
In a landmark moment for India and private spaceflight, Axiom Mission 4 astronauts, including IAF Group Captain Shubhanshu Shukla, have officially entered the Space Station, marking India’s growing presence in human space exploration.
Shubhanshu Shukla Axiom-4 Mission Live Updates: Sister Of Indian Astronaut Says 'Very Happy'
Sister of Shubhanshu Shukla said,”We were waiting for days and praying everyday for the successful lift off and docking. This has happened today. We are very happy and proud of him…This is not easy to reach here. It takes a lot of hard work, effort and time. He gave it his all and reached here.”
Shubhanshu Shukla Axiom-4 Mission Live Updates: Mother Of Shubhanshu Expresses Proud
Mother of IAF Group Captain and astronaut Shubhanshu Shukla expresses immense proud and said, “Docking occurred successfully. This is a matter of great pride. This is good for everyone. We are delighted…We prayed every day. This feels great. We pray to God that may they perform their duty well and return to Earth safely…The credit goes just to my child and his hard work and dedication – only this has taken him to these heights.”
Shubhanshu Shukla Axiom-4 Mission Live Updates: Father Of Shubhanshu Says 'Thankful'
Father of IAF Group Captain and astronaut Shubhanshu Shukla expresses immense proud and said, “We are delighted. We feel great. My child had a successful docking. We are very thankful to God. We had prayed to God and He has blessed our child abundantly.”
Shubhanshu Shukla Axiom-4 Mission Live Updates: Tiranga Held High As Lucknow
Parents of IAF Group Captain & astronaut Shubhanshu Shukla’s school proudly held the Indian flag and waved in celebration at his school as Axiom Mission 4 successfully docked with the Space Station, marking a deeply emotional and proud moment for the city.
Shubhanshu Shukla Axiom-4 Mission Live Updates: Why Hatch Opening Takes Time?
This entire process can take up to 2 hours after docking because safety and airtight integrity are critical in space.
Shubhanshu Shukla Axiom-4 Mission Live Updates:: Process Involved In Hatch Opening
Steps in the Hatch Opening Process:
Soft Capture (Docking Complete)- The spacecraft connects to the ISS but remains sealed.
Hard Mate (Mechanical Latching)- Latches and hooks are engaged to secure a tight seal between the two vehicles.
Leak Checks & Pressure Equalisation- Engineers check for air leaks and gradually equalize the pressure between the spacecraft and ISS to ensure a safe environment.
Suit Doffing & System Readiness- Astronauts remove helmets or suits and confirm all systems (life support, airflow) are stable.
Hatch Opening- Once everything is verified, the hatch is opened, allowing the crew to officially enter the ISS.
Shubhanshu Shukla Axiom-4 Mission Live Updates: What Is Hatch Opening Process?
Hatch opening refers to the controlled procedure of opening the sealed doorway between the spacecraft (like Dragon) and the Space Station (ISS) after docking. It’s the moment when astronauts can safely move from one to the other.
Shubhanshu Shukla Axiom-4 Mission Live Updates: Hatch Opening To Take Two Hours
The process of hatch opening takes usually two hours to complete.
Shubhanshu Shukla Axiom-4 Mission Live Updates: Dragon Successfully Docks With ISS
The Dragon spacecraft docked with the Space Station at 6:31 a.m. ET (10:31 UTC). Now, the mission crew along with NASA astronauts will begin preparations to open the hatches and officially welcome the arriving team aboard.
Shubhanshu Shukla Axiom-4 Mission Live Updates: Union Minister Jitendra Singh Says 'Congratulations'
Taking to X, Union Minister Jitendra Singh wrote,” Congratulations #Axiom4! Docking accomplished. Shubhanshu stands at the threshold entrance of Space Station #ISS … waiting to step in for a 14 day sojourn…. as the world watches with excitement and expectation.”
Congratulations #Axiom4!
Docking accomplished.
Shubhanshu stands at the threshold entrance of Space Station #ISS … waiting to step in for a 14 day sojourn…. as the world watches with excitement and expectation. pic.twitter.com/p91jpqUcBg
— Dr Jitendra Singh (@DrJitendraSingh) June 26, 2025
Shubhanshu Shukla Axiom-4 Mission Live Updates: Dragon Spacecraft Arrives Space Station
Dragon Spacecraft reaches space station, achieving historic milestone.
Shubhanshu Shukla Axiom-4 Mission Live Updates: Dragon Spacecraft Reaches Waypoint 2
Dragon Spacecraft reached Waypoint 2, only 20 metres away from space station.
Shubhanshu Shukla Axiom-4 Mission Live Updates: Dragon Approaching Space Station
Shubhanshu Shukla Axiom-4 Mission Live Updates: Nearly Seven Minutes Away From Docking
The Axiom-4 spacecraft is only seven minutes from docking.
Shubhanshu Shukla Axiom-4 Mission Live Updates: Dragon Crew Heads To Space-Facing Port
The Axiom-4 spacecraft is now navigating toward the space-facing docking port on the Space Station, a designated entry point located on the side facing away from Earth.
Shubhanshu Shukla Axiom-4 Mission Live Updates: Final Countdown To Docking
Dragon spacecraft is about 12 minutes away from docking with the Space Station (ISS), signaling the mission is in its final approach phase.
Shubhanshu Shukla Axiom-4 Mission Live Updates: Updated Docking Time for Dragon Spacecraft
The Dragon spacecraft is now expected to dock with the Space Station around 6:30 a.m. ET, which is approximately 4:00 p.m. IST.
Shubhanshu Shukla Axiom-4 Mission Live Updates: Updated Docking Time for Axiom Mission 4
The Axiom-4 spacecraft is now expected to dock with the Space Station at approximately 5:18 a.m. EDT, earlier than the 7:00 a.m. which was the inial scheduled docking time.
Shubhanshu Shukla Axiom-4 Mission Live Updates: Dragon Spacecraft To Dock At Space Station Soon
Dragon spacecraft will soon dock at Space Station.
Shubhanshu Shukla Axiom-4 Mission Live Updates: 30 Minutes To Approach Waypoint 1
Only 30 minutes are left for the Dragon spacecraft to approach Waypoint 1 ahead of docking at the space station.
Shubhanshu Shukla Axiom-4 Mission Live Updates: Latest View Of Space Station From Dragon Spacecraft
Shubhanshu Shukla Axiom-4 Mission Live Updates: Docking Process Going Smoothly
The docking process of the Dragon spacecraft carrying Axiom-4 astronauts is going normally as expected.
Shubhanshu Shukla Axiom-4 Mission Live Updates: Dragon Spacecraft Approaching Waypoint One
The Dragon spacecraft carrying Shubhanshu Shukla is approaching Waypoint 1, as it enters the final stages of the docking process.
Shubhanshu Shukla Axiom-4 Mission Live Updates: Dragon Spacecraft 431 km above Earth
The Dragon spacecraft carrying four Ax-4 astronauts has reached 431 km above Earth at a speed of 26,446 km per hour.
Shubhanshu Shukla Axiom-4 Mission Live Updates: First Visual Of Dragon Spacecraft From Space Station
Shubhanshu Shukla Axiom-4 Mission Live Updates: First View Of Shubhanshu Shukla Steering The Dragon Spacecraft
Shubhanshu Shukla Axiom-4 Mission Live Updates: First Visual Of ISS From Dragon Spacecraft
Shubhanshu Shukla Axiom-4 Mission Live Updates: One Hour To Go!
The Axiom-4 crew members will arrive at the space station one hour from now.
Shubhanshu Shukla Axiom-4 Mission Live Updates: Mid-course Burn Completed
The mid-course burn process has been completed for the Dragon spacecraft ‘Grace’ as it heads towards the Space Station (ISS).
Shubhanshu Shukla Axiom-4 Mission Live Updates: A Look At The Docking Process
Shubhanshu Shukla Axiom-4 Mission Live Updates: Spacecraft 1.9 KM Away From Space Station
The Dragon spacecraft ‘Grace’ is now only 1.9 km away from the Space Station.
Shubhanshu Shukla Axiom-4 Mission Live Updates: A Look At Previous Axiom Missions
This mission is Axiom Space’s fourth mission and a debut for India, Hungary and Poland. The Axiom-1 was the first private space exploration mission, while the second was the first private mission to feature government-sponsored astronauts. The Axiom-3 mission was the first to carry an all European crew.
Shubhanshu Shukla Axiom-4 Mission Live Updates: Where Will The Spacecraft Dock?
The Dragon spacecraft will dock with the space-facing port of the Harmony module of the Space Station at 3:48 pm IST.
Shubhanshu Shukla Axiom-4 Mission Live Updates: Suit Checks Completed
Axiom-4 astronauts have completed suit leak checks for all four astronauts aboard the Dragon spacecraft.
Shubhanshu Shukla Axiom-4 Mission Live Updates: Suit Donning, Inter-Comm Checks Completed
The suit-donning process and audio configuration for the four Axiom-4 astronauts has been completed. The Ax-4 Crew has also officially initiated communication with Expedition 73 on board the ISS.
Shubhanshu Shukla Axiom-4 Mission Live Updates: Docking Time Updated To 3:18 PM
The Dragon spacecraft is set to dock with the Space Station (ISS) at 6:18 am ET (3:48 pm Indian time).
Shubhanshu Shukla Axiom-4 Mission Live Updates: First Approach Initiation Burn Complete
The first approach initiation burn has been completed as the Dragon spacecraft carrying Axiom-4 astronauts is set to dock at the Space Station (ISS) shortly. SpaceX says it went nominally.
Shubhanshu Shukla Axiom-4 Mission Live Updates: Docking Approach Begins
The Dragon spacecraft has initiated its docking approach, aiming for a soft capture with the Space Station at 4:00 pm Indian time. It is currently orbiting 420 kilometres above Earth, flying at the same speed and maintaining a stable orbit alongside the Space Station.
Shubhanshu Shukla Axiom-4 Mission Live Updates: SpaceX Dragon Spacecraft To Dock Earlier
The SpaceX Dragon spacecraft named ‘Grace’ carrying the Axiom-4 crew members will dock at the Space Station at 6:30 am ET (4 pm Indian time)
