shukla-beams-jai-hind-from-orbit-as-india-re-enters-space

Just moments after Axiom Mission 4 entered Earth orbit, India’s astronaut Shubhanshu Shukla transmitted a rousing message from aboard the SpaceX Dragon spacecraft, “We are orbiting the Earth. This is the start of India’s human space program. Jai Hind, Jai Bharat.” The words mark India’s re-entry into manned space missions, 41 years after the pioneering flight of Rakesh Sharma.

 

The mission launched at 12:01 pm IST (2:31 am EDT) from Launch Complex 39A at NASA’s Kennedy Space Centre in Florida aboard a Falcon 9 rocket. The four-member crew, comprising Group Captain Shukla, US commander Peggy Whitson, Polish astronaut Sławosz Uznański‑Wiśniewski and Hungary’s Tibor Kapu, were securely aboard the Dragon spacecraft following its separation from the Falcon 9 upper stage.

 

In his message, Shukla reflected on the historic moment, “Namaskar, my dear countrymen! What a ride! We are back in the space once again after 41 years. It's an amazing ride. We are revolving around the Earth at a speed of 7.5 kilometres per second. The Tiranga embossed on my shoulders tells me that I am with all of you. This journey of mine is not a beginning to the International Space Station (ISS) but to India's Human Space Programme. I want all of you to be part of this journey. Your chest, too, should swell with pride...Together, let's initiate India's Human Space Programme. Jai Hind! Jai Bharat!”

 

Namaskar, we have reached space after 41 years, kamal ka ride, Jai Hind, says Shubhanshu Shukla on board Axiom-4 spaceflight pic.twitter.com/qnzjpCkGxc

— News Arena India (@NewsArenaIndia) June 25, 2025

 

Also read: SpaceX's Falcon 9: The rocket powering Shukla’s ride to space

 

 

The mission, operated by Axiom Space of Houston, represents the fourth-ever private crewed flight to the ISS, and the first to include an Indian astronaut on a commercial mission. The autonomous Dragon capsule, named Endurance, is set to dock with the ISS at around 4:30 pm IST on Thursday, following standard orbital phasing protocols.

 

Weeks of delays were overcome in the final moments before launch due to an issue with the real-time wind data upload intended to activate the Launch Escape System. Luck turned in India’s favour when engineers confirmed successful data transmission at T-minus 35 minutes.

 

As the spacecraft edges closer to docking, the excitement within India is mounting.