Indian Air Force’s Group Captain Shubhanshu Shukla is currently on a remarkable space mission as part of the Ax-4 mission. His spacecraft is scheduled to dock with the International Space Station (ISS), marking a historic moment for India’s space exploration. The journey, which began with the launch of the SpaceX Falcon-9 rocket carrying the Dragon spacecraft, is set to unfold with multiple critical stages, including docking with the ISS, conducting scientific experiments, and eventually returning to Earth. In this article, we break down the entire process of the Ax-4 mission, including the docking procedure, Shubhanshu’s mission objectives, and the future stages of the mission.

Ax-4 Mission: Journey to the International Space Station (ISS)

The Ax-4 mission, part of the broader Axiom Space mission series, launched from NASA‘s Kennedy Space Center on June 25, 2025, at 12:01 PM IST. The mission, carried out aboard SpaceX’s Falcon-9 rocket, was successfully launched, carrying Shubhanshu Shukla and three other astronauts. After launch, the Dragon spacecraft is set to reach the International Space Station (ISS), a journey expected to take 28 hours.

According to the mission timeline, Shubhanshu Shukla’s spacecraft is scheduled to dock with the ISS at 4:30 PM IST on June 26, 2025. This docking will be a significant milestone for both the Indian Air Force and the global space community.

What is the Docking Process?

Docking is a highly sophisticated and critical procedure in space missions, where two spacecraft are brought together and connected in orbit. The Dragon spacecraft, equipped with advanced autonomous docking capabilities, will dock with the ISS’s Harmony module. This is a precise process, requiring synchronization between the spacecraft’s speed and position relative to the ISS.

During docking, the Dragon spacecraft will adjust its velocity and trajectory to match the ISS. Given the high speeds at which both the spacecraft and the ISS travel around Earth, the docking process involves carefully slowing down the spacecraft before making the final connection. The docking procedure is fully automated, ensuring that the two spacecraft connect securely and without any errors.

This process is vital for assembling large structures in space or transferring equipment, crew, and supplies between spacecraft. The docking will allow Shubhanshu Shukla and his fellow astronauts to enter the ISS and begin their mission inside the station.

Post-Docking Activities: What Happens After the Spacecraft Joins the ISS?

Once the docking is successfully completed, the spacecraft will be securely attached to the ISS. The crew will then enter through the hatch connecting the two spacecraft. The astronauts will be greeted by the ISS crew and start their orientation within the microgravity environment.

Shubhanshu and his team will remain on the ISS for 14 days. During this time, they will conduct over 60 scientific experiments, including 7 Indian experiments and 5 NASA experiments. These experiments will contribute valuable data and insights into various fields, from materials science to life sciences, aiding future space missions and scientific research.

How to Track the Mission: Live Streaming of Docking and Mission Updates

For space enthusiasts and followers of the Ax-4 mission, SpaceX and NASA are offering live streams of the mission. The real-time tracking of the spacecraft’s position, velocity, and distance from the ISS is available on their official websites. This allows people around the world to watch the historic docking process as it happens, providing insights into the intricate details of space travel.

Additionally, SpaceX provides a dedicated link for monitoring the spacecraft’s status, height, speed, and proximity to the ISS. This level of accessibility is a step forward in making space missions more transparent and engaging for the public.

Did India Contribute to the Mission’s Funding?

Yes, India has contributed ₹550 crores to this mission, highlighting the country’s increasing involvement in international space research and exploration. This financial backing showcases India’s growing interest in space technology and the importance of its participation in global space missions. The Ax-4 mission not only represents India’s presence in space but also serves as a platform for collaboration between NASA, Axiom Space, and India’s space research initiatives.

Return Journey: When Will the Crew Return to Earth?

After completing their mission on the ISS, Shubhanshu Shukla and his team will return to Earth using the same Dragon spacecraft that took them to the ISS. The return journey will commence around July 10, 2025, when the Dragon spacecraft will undock from the ISS. The undocking process is another complex procedure where the spacecraft will detach from the station, and its systems will be prepared for re-entry into Earth’s atmosphere.

During the return, the spacecraft will re-enter the Earth’s atmosphere, where it will encounter extreme temperatures. However, the heat shield on the Dragon spacecraft will protect the crew from the heat generated during re-entry. The spacecraft will then deploy its parachutes to make a controlled splashdown at a predetermined landing site in the Atlantic Ocean or Gulf of Mexico.

The SpaceX recovery team will be stationed at the landing site to retrieve the spacecraft and ensure the safe extraction of the crew.

What is Undocking?

Undocking is the opposite of docking, where two fast-moving spacecraft are separated after being attached in orbit. The undocking process involves the spacecraft carefully moving away from the ISS after disconnecting and preparing for the journey back to Earth.

How Long Will the Return Journey Take?

The journey back from the ISS to Earth typically takes anywhere from 6 to 20 hours, depending on the position of the landing site and the spacecraft’s orbit. The spacecraft’s trajectory is carefully calculated to ensure a smooth and safe return to Earth.

Will the Dragon Spacecraft Be Reused?

Yes, the Dragon spacecraft will be reused for future missions. SpaceX has developed the technology to refurbish its spacecraft, allowing them to be used multiple times. This reusability is a significant step forward in reducing the cost of space missions and making space travel more sustainable in the long run.

The Ax-4 mission represents a monumental achievement for both India and the global space community. Group Captain Shubhanshu Shukla’s participation in this mission is a proud moment for India’s Air Force and its growing contributions to space exploration. The successful docking with the International Space Station (ISS) and the subsequent scientific experiments will further strengthen India’s position in the global space arena.

As Shubhanshu and his team embark on this historic mission, the global space community watches eagerly, and India takes another step towards becoming a significant player in space exploration. With the ongoing advancements in space technology, missions like Ax-4 pave the way for future interplanetary journeys, scientific breakthroughs, and international collaborations that will benefit humanity as a whole.