After a journey of over 24 hours, the Crew Dragon capsule of the Axiom 4 mission successfully docked with the International Space Station (ISS) shortly after 4 PM India time on Thursday. With this achievement, Group Captain Shubhanshu Shukla has made history as the first Indian to reach the ISS and only the second Indian to travel to space, following Wing Commander Rakesh Sharma’s flight aboard a Soviet spacecraft in 1984.
The four-person crew includes pilot Shukla, mission commander Peggy Whitson from the United States, and mission specialists Sławosz Uznański-Wiśniewski from Poland and Tibor Kapu from Hungary. They are scheduled to remain aboard the ISS for two weeks, engaging in a range of scientific research.
The docking process between the Crew Dragon capsule and the ISS is a complex one that can take hours. From launch to docking, it took approximately two hours for the Crew Dragon to reach its destination. Initially, the spacecraft performs a sequence of maneuvers to align its altitude and velocity with that of the ISS. As it approaches within a few hundred meters, it switches to precision navigation, utilizing Light Detection and Ranging (Lidar) technology and cameras to align itself perfectly with the ISS. The capsule employs automated docking technology that relies on its onboard computers and sensors.
During the docking, a ring on the capsule connects with the ISS, and latches secure the connection. Once a pressure seal is confirmed and electronic connections are established, safety checks are conducted, allowing the astronauts to open the hatch and enter the ISS.
Shukla and his fellow astronauts will conduct over 60 scientific experiments and demonstrations organized by scientists from over 30 countries. Among these, Shukla will lead seven experiments formulated by a team of Indian scientists and researchers, aimed at exploring the effects of microgravity on both humans and living organisms. These investigations are crucial for understanding how space impacts life itself.
The Axiom 4 mission’s significance lies in its scientific and exploratory purpose, contrasting with the historical “space race,” which primarily focused on national pride. Missions like Axiom 4 are paving the way for a sustained human presence in space and are vital for progressing space sciences and humanity’s future in deeper space exploration beyond the Moon.
Original Source: https://www.firstpost.com/india/axiom-4-crew-dragon-capsule-docking-international-space-station-shubhanshu-shukla-isro-nasa-spacex-13900702.html
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Publish Date: 2025-06-26 16:10:00
