International Space Station Welcomes First Indian, Polish, Hungarian Astronauts in 40 Years

Astronauts from India, Poland, and Hungary have arrived at the International Space Station (ISS) for the first time in over 40 years, marking a historic milestone for these countries. The crew, including India's Shubhanshu Shukla, Hungary's Tibor Kapu, Poland's Slawosz Uznanski-Wisniewski, and commanded by America's Peggy Whitson, will spend two weeks conducting scientific experiments and promoting international collaboration in space exploration. Shukla, a pilot in the Indian Air Force, expressed pride in carrying the Indian flag and noted the mission's significance for India's Gaganyaan program and space ambitions. The mission, arranged by Axiom Space and launched via SpaceX's Dragon spacecraft, reflects growing private sector involvement and global partnerships in low-Earth orbit missions. Indian officials, including Union Minister Jitendra Singh, celebrated the mission as a realization of India's space vision and self-reliance goals. The arrival further emphasizes the expanding diversity aboard the ISS, which currently hosts astronauts from six nations.