Indian Air Force Group Captain Shubhanshu Shukla became history on Wednesday as he traveled to the International Space Station (ISS) aboard the Axiom-4 commercial space flight. The spacecraft took off at 12:01 pm IST from NASA’s Kennedy Space Center in Florida, and Shukla was the first Indian astronaut to travel to the ISS; 41 years since Rakesh Sharma’s flight in 1984.
Shukla’s First Message from Space
Not long after the successful liftoff and stage separation, Shukla gave his first message from space, informing the world of the progress of the mission. “Namaskar, dear countrymen, we have entered space after 41 years. It was a wonderful ride,” he announced about ten minutes into the flight.
He further stated that the spacecraft was revolving around the planet at a mind-boggling rate. We are going around the Earth at 7.5 km per second. I have the Indian tricolour on my back,” he stated from onboard SpaceX’s Dragon capsule.
Looking back at the emotional and national importance of the moment, Shukla went on, “Tricolour reminds me that I am with all of you. It’s not only the beginning of my mission to the International Space Station, but of India’s human spaceflight.
Calling upon fellow citizens to be a part of this momentous movement, he stated, “I want each one of you to be part of this journey. Let us embark on India’s human space programme together.”
Crew and Launch Details
Shukla is joined on this mission by three foreign crew members: veteran NASA astronaut Peggy Whitson, who is leading the mission as commander, Poland’s Slawosz Uznanski-Wisniewski, and Hungary’s Tibor Kapu. The Axiom-4 mission is a historic milestone not just for India, but also for Poland and Hungary, whose astronauts will be going back to space after generations.
The launch also prompted parties worldwide, with watch parties being held in numerous locations—among them one at Shukla’s alma mater, City Montessori School in Lucknow, where his parents celebrated the blast-off with teachers and students.
Docking Schedule
As per NASA, the team will dock at the International Space Station at approximately 4:30 pm IST on Thursday, June 26. The mission is a part of Axiom Space’s growing commercial program to transport international astronauts to low Earth orbit.
Shukla’s achievement marks India’s re-entry into spaceflight on the international stage, marking a new chapter for Indian astronauts and paving the way for ISRO’s future Gaganyaan mission.