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Shubhanshu Shukla became the first Indian on the ISS, observing Earth from the Cupola Module. He docked with the ISS on June 26 as the mission pilot for Axiom-4.
Shubhanshu shukla
Indian government on Sunday shared a set of images showing Group Captain Shubhanshu Shukla, who scripted history by becoming the first Indian on the International Space Station, observing the Earth from the space station.
Group Captain Shukla participated in the mission as the pilot for Axiom Space’s Ax-4 mission, which launched on 25 June 2025 aboard a SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket from NASA’s Kennedy Space Center in Florida. He was accompanied by veteran American astronaut Peggy Whitson, Polish scientist Sławosz Uznański, and Hungarian astronaut Tibor Kapu. Following a 28-hour journey, the crew successfully docked with the International Space Station on 26 June.
In the pictures shared on X, Shukla is seen seated on the edge of the ISS’ 7-windowed Cupola Module with the Earth visible in the background. “Gazing Down From The Space! Group Capt Shubhanshu Shukla enjoys the stunning panoramic view of Earth from the 7-windowed Cupola Module aboard the International Space Station. It’s been a remarkable journey as he marks a week in orbit, representing India among the stars,” the X post of MyGovIndia reads.
Gazing Down From The Space!Group Capt Shubhanshu Shukla enjoys the stunning panoramic view of Earth from the 7-windowed Cupola Module aboard the International Space Station. It’s been a remarkable journey as he marks a week in orbit, representing India among the stars.#Axiom4… pic.twitter.com/E9XKZIatng
– Mygovindia (@mygovindia) July 6, 2025
Sudhanshu Shukla has now completed 10 days in space, advancing research critical to the future of long-duration space exploration.
One major focuses was the myogenesis investigation, which examines how microgravity accelerates muscle atrophy. In the absence of gravity, astronauts experience rapid weakening of skeletal muscles, a phenomenon linked to molecular and cellular changes.
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