New Delhi, June 26 -- In a giant leap for Indian space aspirations, Indian Air Force Group Captain Shubhanshu Shukla today soared into history as the SpaceX Dragon spacecraft carrying the Axiom-4 crew gently docked with the International Space Station (ISS), marking India's return to manned space missions after a gap of 41 years.
The moment the Dragon capsule latched onto the ISS's Harmony module, a wave of emotion swept across the nation - especially in Lucknow, where Shukla's proud family watched the event unfold live at his alma mater.
"It feels great. We are excited," said an elated Asha Shukla, his mother, moments before the family left to meet Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath. His father, Shambhu Dayal Shukla, called it ...