In a moment that will be etched in the annals of Indian space history, Group Captain Shubhanshu Shukla soared into space aboard the Axiom-4 mission, becoming the first Indian in 41 years to reach orbit. His historic journey rekindles the nation’s dreams of space exploration and marks a significant step forward in India’s ambitions for human spaceflight.
As the SpaceX Dragon spacecraft successfully separated from the Falcon 9 rocket on Wednesday, Shukla, designated pilot for the mission, made his first transmission from space — a stirring message to a billion hopeful hearts back on Earth.
“Namaskar, my dear countrymen; we have reached space after 41 years. It was a great ride. We are orbiting Earth at a speed of 7.5 km per second. I have the Indian tricolour on my shoulders,” Shukla announced, barely 10 minutes after liftoff.
In an emotional declaration that brought pride and tears to many Indians watching live, he added:
“Tricolour tells me I am with you all, it is not just the start of my journey to ISS but also of India’s human spaceflight. I want each one of you to be part of this journey; let us embark on India’s space programme together.”
India’s Return to Human Spaceflight
The last Indian to travel to space was Wing Commander Rakesh Sharma in 1984 aboard the Soviet Soyuz T-11 mission. Since then, despite several advances in satellite and lunar missions, India had remained absent from crewed spaceflight. Shukla’s mission symbolizes a new dawn, potentially paving the way for ISRO’s own upcoming human spaceflight mission, Gaganyaan.
Before the flight, Shukla humbly remarked, “I truly believe that even though I, as an individual, am travelling to space, this is the journey of 1.4 billion people.” These words resonated deeply across India, especially among aspiring scientists and students who have looked to the stars with hope.
A Multinational Crew, A Global Moment
The Axiom-4 crew comprises:
- Group Captain Shubhanshu Shukla (India)
- Peggy Whitson (USA) – Former NASA astronaut and mission commander
- Tibor Kapu (Hungary)
- Sławosz Uznański-Wiśniewski (Poland)
The international team launched from Cape Canaveral, after several delays pushed the mission from its original May window into late June. The mission will dock with the International Space Station (ISS) for a planned stay of approximately two weeks, where the crew will carry out scientific experiments, educational outreach, and international collaboration initiatives.
Who is Shubhanshu Shukla?
A seasoned Indian Air Force pilot, Group Captain Shubhanshu Shukla earned his place among elite global astronauts after rigorous training with NASA and Axiom Space. Fondly nicknamed “Shux” by his crew, he’s known for his calm demeanor, technical precision, and passionate commitment to representing India on a global stage.
A graduate of the National Defence Academy, Shukla was chosen for his diverse aviation experience, including over 2,000 flight hours in various fighter aircraft, and his ability to adapt quickly to complex systems.
What’s Next for India?
Shubhansh Shukla’s successful flight sets the stage for India’s own crewed mission, Gaganyaan, which aims to send Indian astronauts into space using a domestically developed launch vehicle. His presence aboard a private international mission underscores the growing importance of global partnerships and private space companies in shaping the future of space travel.
Inspiring a new generation, Shubhansh Shukla’s words continue to echo across classrooms, laboratories, and households:
“This is not just my mission. This is India’s journey. Let’s take this forward together.”