India’s Shubhanshu Shukla has made history by launching on a 14-day mission to space aboard the SpaceX Dragon spacecraft from the Kennedy Space Centre in Florida.
He is the second Indian astronaut to travel to space and the first to dock with the International Space Station (ISS). As mission pilot, Shukla is supervising the critical docking phase of the mission, ensuring that Dragon’s approach to the ISS is precise and safe.
After launch, the Dragon spacecraft begins a series of orbital manoeuvres to align its trajectory with the ISS, which orbits Earth at an altitude of about 418 km. These include a “PHASING” burn using the spacecraft’s Draco thrusters to raise its orbit, a “BOOST” burn to bring it within 10 km below the ISS, and a “CLOSE CO-ELLIPTIC” burn to establish a stable, parallel orbit.
Further manoeuvres like the “TRANSFER” burn and a final 30-second “CO-ELLIPTIC” burn reduce the gap to just 2.5 km. An “OUT-OF-PLANE” burn corrects any lateral misalignment, setting up the spacecraft for its final approach. All these adjustments are executed autonomously.
The close approach phase begins when Dragon fires its engines for 90 seconds, moving from 2.5 km below and 7 km behind the ISS to just 400 meters beneath it. Dragon then passes through a series of checkpoints—200 meters, 400 meters (Waypoint 0), 220 meters (Waypoint 1), and 20 meters (Waypoint 2)—each bringing it closer to the docking port.
At the final point, known as the Crew Hands-Off Point, the spacecraft is fully aligned and ready for docking. If any anomaly occurs here, Dragon will automatically retreat. Throughout this phase, astronauts inside monitor the process closely in full gear.
Docking takes place when Dragon makes a soft contact with the ISS and alignment is confirmed. It is then secured using locking mechanisms, and power and data systems are connected. After pressure equalisation and leak checks, hatches from both sides open, allowing the crew to enter the ISS.
As mission pilot, Shukla is responsible for monitoring trajectory, verifying critical systems like life support and propulsion, assisting with manual controls if needed, and coordinating with the commander, ISS crew, and ground teams. He is also trained to handle emergencies like abort procedures or collision avoidance.
Shukla’s training at NASA’s Johnson Space Centre, SpaceX headquarters, and Russia’s Gagarin Cosmonaut Training Centre has prepared him for this role. His journey marks a major milestone for India, offering valuable experience ahead of the country’s Gaganyaan mission, scheduled for 2027.
