In historic leap, Indian astronaut heads to ISS

• The astronauts, including Commander Peggy Whitson, Mission Specialist Sławosz Uznański-Wiśniewski, and Mission Specialist Tibor Kapu, were launched on a Falcon 9 rocket from Launch Complex 39A at the Kennedy Space Center.

• The Dragon capsule, carrying the astronauts, is set to dock at the International Space Station (ISS) at approximately 4.30 p.m. IST.

• Group Captain Shukla will become the first Indian astronaut aboard the ISS, after reaching space in 40 years.

• The crew will spend 14 days onboard the ISS, representing 31 countries, including the U.S., India, Poland, Hungary, Saudi Arabia, Brazil, Nigeria, the UAE, and Europe.

• ISRO and NASA will participate in five joint science investigations and two in-orbit STEM demonstrations.