The Dragon spacecraft, developed by SpaceX, is all set to carry astronauts to the International Space Station (ISS) as part of the Axiom-4 (Ax-4) Mission, including Group Captain Shubhanshu Shukla, who will become the first Indian to visit the ISS on a commercial space mission.

Designed specifically for human spaceflight, Dragon features touchscreen controls, life-support systems, a cargo bay, and the ability to dock automatically with the ISS. It is also built for safe re-entry and ends each mission with an ocean splashdown, where the crew and capsule are safely recovered. The spacecraft has been mounted atop the Falcon 9 rocket at Kennedy Space Center’s Launch Complex 39A, where it has completed static fire tests and a full dress rehearsal ahead of launch.

The Dragon capsule has already proven itself in multiple missions and is a key part of SpaceX’s goal to make space travel reusable and cost-effective. Its reliable design and advanced features are helping pave the way for regular human missions to space.

India’s big moment in space

Group Captain Shubhanshu Shukla will pilot the Dragon spacecraft alongside Peggy Whitson, a veteran U.S. astronaut, and crew members from Poland and Hungary. The 14-day mission will launch atop a Falcon 9 rocket, a reusable two-stage rocket known for its precision landings and quick turnaround between missions.

The Ax-4 mission is a joint effort by NASA, ISRO, and Axiom Space, reflecting growing international cooperation in space. During the mission, the crew will conduct over 60 scientific experiments, including several led by Indian researchers.

This mission marks a historic moment for India, as Shukla becomes the first Indian astronaut on the ISS, and the first to fly under a private commercial spaceflight program.