India is on the brink of a historic space milestone as Shubhanshu Shukla prepares to become the first Indian astronaut to step aboard the International Space Station (ISS). As part of the Axiom Mission 4 (Ax-4), Shukla, along with three other private astronauts from Poland, the United States, and Hungary, is expected to dock with the ISS around 4:30 PM IST today (Thursday).

Launched on June 25 at 12:01 PM IST from Kennedy Space Centre, the crew lifted off aboard SpaceX’s Crew Dragon spacecraft, propelled into orbit by the reliable Falcon 9 rocket. The spacecraft is now en route to dock with the Harmony module of the ISS. According to the latest update from SpaceX, Dragon has been successfully docked at ISS.

Viewers around the world can watch the live broadcast of this momentous event. 

Here are the latest updates:

 - Shubhanshu Shukla has become the second Indian to travel to space and the first to visit the International Space Station (ISS) as part of the Axiom-4 Mission.

-  Following the successful docking of Axiom Mission 4 to the ISS, Group Captain Shubhanshu Shukla's sister, Shuchi Mishra, expressed her family's pride and joy. She said they had been praying daily for the mission's success and praised Shukla's dedication, calling it the result of immense hard work and perseverance.

 - The four-member Dragon crew, including India’s Shubhanshu Shukla, are removing their spacesuits as they prepare to enter the International Space Station.

- All hooks have been securely latched, completing the hard capture and fully attaching the Dragon spacecraft to the ISS.

- NASA confirms to Houston that the Dragon spacecraft has successfully achieved soft capture with the ISS.

- NASA reports that docking is just 7 minutes away. The Dragon’s thrusters are firing as final adjustments are made for precise alignment with the ISS.

- After a 24-hour journey from Florida, the Dragon spacecraft is now just 20 meters above the ISS, preparing for docking.

- The Dragon spacecraft is in range and maintaining a nominal attitude as it maneuvers over the top of the ISS. Its thrusters are firing as it prepares to dock with the Harmony port.

 - The SpaceX Dragon spacecraft, carrying the Axiom Mission 4 (Ax-4) crew, is on its final approach to the International Space Station. According to the latest update from ISS mission control, the docking will occur as the spacecraft passes over the Indian Ocean. 

 - After the Axiom-4 crew docks with the International Space Station, they will be welcomed aboard by NASA’s Expedition 73 crew in a special welcome ceremony.