New Delhi, June 26 (UNI) As the SpaceX Dragon spacecraft Grace completed its gentle docking with the International Space Station (ISS) at 4:01 pm IST on Thursday, carrying the Axiom-4 crew onboard, applause broke out not only inside mission control but also in a modest home in Lucknow—where one family watched history unfold with teary eyes and hearts full of pride.
The family of Indian Air Force Group Captain Shubhanshu Shukla, now only the second Indian in space after Rakesh Sharma, was overcome with emotion as they witnessed their son floating into the ISS, smiling and exchanging hugs with fellow astronauts.
Yet, Shukla’s presence aboard the mission is not just symbolic, it’s critical. He serves as the pilot of the Axiom-4 mission, responsible for navigating the spacecraft, ensuring the safety of all crew members, and piloting them back to Earth.
“He went as the pilot, carrying the team to the ISS, and it’s his responsibility to bring them back safely,” said his sister, Suchi Mishra, her voice heavy with emotion. “That level of responsibility is massive—and we are proud that he has been trusted with such a role.”
But the mission’s highlight wasn’t just the docking. It was the carefully choreographed hatch-opening process that followed—allowing the astronauts to transition from the Dragon spacecraft into the ISS.
This sequence is far more complex than it appears. Once both soft and hard docking phases are completed, mission specialists conduct pressure equalisation—gradually balancing the pressure between the vestibule (the small space between the spacecraft and the station) and the ISS to ensure a safe environment. Only then are both hatches—on the Dragon and the ISS—manually unlocked and opened, often by astronauts aboard the station. This series of checks ensures airtight integrity and leak-proof seals.
The entire process, from docking to hatch opening, can take anywhere from 30 minutes to over an hour, depending on how smoothly each step goes. On Thursday, it took about two hours before the crew could finally float into the orbiting lab—greeted with cheers and warm embraces.
In Lucknow, as visuals streamed in, the historic docking turned into a hub of celebration. “Even with monsoon turbulence, he’s handled the Dragon spacecraft with precision. That’s who he is—calm under pressure,” said Suchi, recalling his years of discipline and resolve. “Whenever he takes on something, he gives it everything.”
She also underlined the team effort that goes into a mission of this scale. “So many people contribute, from engineers to ground crew—but Shubhanshu is at the helm, leading in space. That kind of recognition is rare.”
Their father, Shambhu Dayal Shukla, stood in quiet gratitude. “We had prayed for exactly this—that God showers full grace on our child,” he said. “And today, we feel like that prayer was answered.”
Reflecting on his son’s journey, he said, “He’s been like gold since childhood—focused, determined, humble. His school played a key role, and now we’ve been invited by them to celebrate this moment.”
Alongside Shukla in this international mission are Slawosz Uznanski-Wisniewski, the second Polish astronaut since 1978, and Tibor Kapu, the second Hungarian in space after 45 years. The trio launched aboard a Falcon 9 rocket from NASA’s Kennedy Space Center on Wednesday.
NASA, confirming the successful docking, said: "At 6:31 am EDT (4:01 IST), the SpaceX Dragon spacecraft docked to the International Space Station for the fourth private astronaut mission to the orbiting laboratory, Axiom Mission 4."
While India celebrates a historic milestone in global space collaboration, for one family in Lucknow, it’s more than just history—it’s the fulfillment of a personal dream decades in the making.
“There’s happiness, nervousness—a storm of emotions,” said Suchi. “The countdown now is not for launch, but for when we welcome him back home.”
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