Bengaluru, June 25 (UNI) Dr BR Guruprasad, Senior Scientific Officer at the Jawaharlal Nehru Planetarium here, has exuded confidence that Indian astronaut Shubhanshu Shukla and his crew with the International Space Station (ISS) will have a successful docking tomorrow evening.

Speaking to mediapersons shortly after the launch today, Dr Guruprasad said, “The spacecraft carrying Shubhanshu Shukla and three others is now independently orbiting the Earth at a height of about 200 kilometers and at a speed of 28,000 kilometers per hour. Over the next 24 hours, it will continue this orbit before attempting the docking maneuver with the ISS.”

He acknowledged that the docking process is intricate and demands high precision. “It is a technically involved operation. While there are always unknowns in space, these procedures are extensively rehearsed and planned. With the experience of NASA and SpaceX, I am confident that the Crew Dragon will dock safely with the ISS.”

Dr Guruprasad emphasised the importance of this phase. “The next 24 hours are crucial. The astronauts must remain inside the relatively small Crew Dragon spacecraft until the docking is completed. But compared to earlier spacecraft, Crew Dragon is far more comfortable and reliable.”

Describing the spacecraft as a well-tested system, he said, “Crew Dragon has been designed to accommodate seven people, though only four are typically onboard for such missions. This conservative approach enhances safety and comfort.”

He added that once docked, Shukla and his crewmates will spend about two weeks aboard the ISS conducting scientific experiments and experiencing life in microgravity.

“With this mission, Shubhanshu joins the elite ranks of space travelers, and we hope for a successful docking and a safe mission overall,” Dr Guruprasad said. UNI BDN SSP