India Hails Shubhanshu Shukla's Axiom-4 Space Mission, Marking Nation's Return to Human Spaceflight

The successful launch of the Axiom-4 mission has sparked national pride in India. Former cricketer Yuvraj Singh voiced the collective sentiment in a moving tribute to Shubhanshu Shukla's historic achievement.

Yuvraj Singh congratulates Shubhanshu Shukla on the Axiom-4 mission.

Singh stated, "As Group Captain Shukla ascended into space, he carried the aspirations of our nation and the determination of every Indian who aspires to achieve greatness. This is a moment that will be etched in our memories for generations."

This mission signifies India's significant return to human spaceflight, marking 41 years since Rakesh Sharma's pioneering voyage.

The SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket launched from NASA’s Kennedy Space Centre in Florida on Wednesday, carrying Indian Air Force Group Captain Shubhanshu Shukla, alongside astronauts from Hungary, Poland, and the United States.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi also conveyed his congratulations, emphasizing that Shukla embodies the dreams of 1.4 billion Indians.

He shared on X, “We celebrate the successful launch of the Space Mission, which includes astronauts from India, Hungary, Poland, and the US. Group Captain Shubhanshu Shukla is paving the way as the first Indian to visit the International Space Station. He carries with him the hopes and dreams of 1.4 billion Indians. We wish him and his fellow astronauts every success!”

The astronauts are scheduled to spend 14 days aboard the International Space Station, where they will conduct over 60 scientific experiments.

From the spacecraft, named Grace, Shukla addressed the nation with heartfelt words: “Namaskar, my dear countrymen. After 41 years, we have reached space. It was an incredible journey.”

Traveling at 7.5 km per second, Shukla proudly displayed the Indian tricolor on his suit, representing the nation's unified spirit. He hopes his mission inspires curiosity and encourages future generations of Indians to explore the cosmos.

“This isn’t just my journey – it’s India’s journey into the future of human spaceflight,” he remarked.

Shukla's mission is already redefining India's role in space exploration, as his words resonate deeply across the country.