25th June 2025 – Ignition of Ambition
At 12:01 PM IST, SpaceX’s Falcon 9 Block 5 ascends from Launch Complex 39A at NASA’s Kennedy Space Centre, carrying the Dragon capsule Grace and four astronauts.
26th June 2025 – Arrival at the Orbital Outpost
Docking of Grace with the ISS’s Harmony module. Following pressurisation, Gaganyatri Shubhanshu Shukla steps into the ISS (5:53 PM IST), the first Indian ever to do so. The Expedition 73 crew hosts a warm welcome ceremony (6:45 PM IST), a moment of camaraderie in orbit. Shux receives his astronaut pin, marking him as the 634th astronaut to reach space.
27th June 2025 – Day 2: Settling In, Science Begins
A full orientation and guided tour of ISS laboratories is followed by the activation of ISRO’s payloads and instruments. The first private medical conference confirms that Shukla is adapting well to microgravity. Biomedical and psychological monitoring begins in earnest.
28th June 2025 – Day 3: India in the Cosmos
Shukla continues work on Indian scientific experiments and prepares for the mission’s first outreach session. In a landmark moment, he speaks via video call with Prime Minister Narendra Modi, sharing reflections on India’s unity, the view of the subcontinent from orbit, Indian cuisine in space, and an inspiring message to the nation’s youth. This was the day when he gave us his historic message from the cosmos–
“…the first thought that came to mind was that the Earth looks absolutely One, I mean no boundary line, no border is visible from outside…the feeling of oneness of the Earth….we all are a part of humanity and the Earth is our home and all of us are its citizens.”
29th June 2025 – Day 4: Earth Below, Experiments Within
Daily planning merges seamlessly with ongoing scientific data collection. During an ISS pass over India, Shukla participates in a Crew Earth Observation session, capturing imagery for research and heritage. The second private medical conference is conducted, ensuring his continued well-being.
30th June 2025 – Day 5: Microscopic Frontiers
Shukla redeploys an algae culture bag for the microalgae growth experiment, participates in human physiology studies, retrieves myogenesis samples from the ISS freezer, and records a STEM demonstration for educational outreach.
1st to 13th July 2025 – Science Without Borders
Over the next fortnight, the crew executes around 60 experiments representing 31 nations — from space medicine to plant biology and advanced materials to AI-assisted research. 23 live educational events connect the ISS to classrooms around the globe, proving that inspiration knows no gravity.
14 July 2025 – Farewell to the Frontier
Grace undocks from the ISS, beginning its journey home. In its pressurised hold are experimental results, research samples, and the collective pride of four nations.
15 July 2025 – Pacific Homecoming
Grace splashes down off the coast of San Diego, concluding the historic voyage. The crew emerges as emissaries of science and the indomitable human spirit.
Sources
- Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) – Axiom Mission 4 (Ax-4) Mission Updates & Daily Logs
https://www.isro.gov.in - Axiom Space – Axiom Mission 4 Overview & Science Highlights
https://www.axiomspace.com/missions/ax4 - NASA – Commercial Crew Program: Axiom Mission 4 Details & Docking Schedule
https://www.nasa.gov - SpaceX – Falcon 9 & Crew Dragon Grace Mission Data
https://www.spacex.com - ISS National Laboratory – Ax-4 Science Experiments and Educational Outreach Summary
https://www.issnationallab.org