As India rejoices over this remarkable achievement, Shukla's journey marks significant advancements in the country's space exploration ambitions.
India Celebrates Historic Space Mission with First Astronaut Launch in 41 Years
India Celebrates Historic Space Mission with First Astronaut Launch in 41 Years
Group Captain Shubhanshu Shukla becomes the second Indian to soar into space as the Axiom-4 mission successfully lifts off.
Jubilant celebrations erupted across India as the Axiom-4 (Ax-4) mission successfully launched from NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Florida, marking a milestone in the country's space history. Group Captain Shubhanshu Shukla piloted the mission, becoming only the second Indian to venture into space, following Rakesh Sharma's historic flight 41 years ago aboard a Russian Soyuz in 1984.
Scheduled to dock at the International Space Station (ISS) in just over 26 hours, Shukla will achieve the distinction of being the first Indian astronaut to work at NASA’s orbiting laboratory. The Axiom-4 mission features a multi-national crew, which also includes Polish astronaut Slawosz Uznanski-Wisniewski and Hungarian astronaut Tibor Kapu, both returning to space after decades.
Launched at 02:31 EDT (06:31 GMT, 12:01 India time), Ax-4 is led by former NASA astronaut Peggy Whitson, a seasoned veteran who has commanded the ISS and spent over 675 days in space. This mission is a pioneering effort by Axiom Space, a Houston-based private company, and a collaboration between NASA, India’s space agency ISRO, and the European Space Agency (ESA).
As excitement intensified in India, ISRO highlighted the invaluable experience Shukla will gain that is expected to bolster India's own space programs, including its first human space flight planned for 2027 and a proposed space station by 2035. Having invested 5 billion rupees (approximately $59 million) to secure his seat and training, the future of Indian space exploration seems brighter than ever.
Shukla’s home city of Lucknow witnessed a vibrant gathering as his parents and hundreds of students celebrated the lift-off, accompanied by music and applause. Describing the past year as "transformative," Shukla expressed his deep excitement about carrying the "hopes and dreams of a billion hearts" into space.
On the Axiom-4 mission, Shukla will not only pilot the crew but also conduct a rigorous schedule of 60 scientific experiments on the ISS. Seven of these experiments originate from India, covering topics from the effects of microgravity on crop seeds to studying tardigrades, known for their resilience in extreme conditions. Additionally, he is expected to engage with students and potentially interact with Prime Minister Narendra Modi while he floats in space.
As India elevates its role in the international space community, the Axiom-4 mission paves the way for future explorations, with Shukla at the forefront of this historic journey.
