subhanshu-shukla-s-space-odyssey-carries-india-s-dreams-says-pm

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Wednesday hailed the successful launch of the Axiom Mission 4, calling it a moment of immense pride for the nation as Group Captain Shubhanshu Shukla embarked on his voyage to the International Space Station (ISS), becoming the first Indian to do so.

 

Shukla’s journey aboard the SpaceX Dragon spacecraft, part of a commercially operated mission by Houston-based Axiom Space, marks India’s return to human spaceflight after a gap of 41 years. His flight follows in the footsteps of Rakesh Sharma, who travelled to space in 1984 aboard a Soviet Soyuz spacecraft.

 

“We welcome the successful launch of the space mission carrying astronauts from India, Hungary, Poland, and the US. The Indian astronaut, Group Captain Shubhanshu Shukla, is on the way to become the first Indian to go to the International Space Station. He carries with him the wishes, hopes, and aspirations of 1.4 billion Indians,” the Prime Minister said in a post on X.

 

We welcome the successful launch of the Space Mission carrying astronauts from India, Hungary, Poland and the US.

The Indian Astronaut, Group Captain Shubhanshu Shukla is on the way to become the first Indian to go to International Space Station. He carries with him the wishes,…

— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) June 25, 2025

 

The four-member crew lifted off aboard the Dragon spacecraft from Kennedy Space Centre in Florida earlier on Wednesday. The international team includes commander Peggy Whitson of the United States, Slawosz Uznanski-Wisniewski of Poland, and Tibor Kapu of Hungary.

 

We have LIFTOFF of Axiom Mission 4!

The #Ax4 mission lifted off from Launch Complex 39A at 2:31am ET June 25, taking four private astronauts to the @Space_Station for a mission of up to 14 days. pic.twitter.com/lhRkWUwAGk

— NASA's Kennedy Space Center (@NASAKennedy) June 25, 2025

 

Also read: Shukla beams 'Jai Hind' from orbit as India re-enters space

 

Shukla’s historic participation is seen as a precursor to India’s indigenous human space mission, Gaganyaan, which is expected to take flight in the coming years. An officer in the Indian Air Force, he was one of the astronauts trained under ISRO’s Gaganyaan programme and selected for the Axiom collaboration through a commercial partnership involving NASA and SpaceX.

 

The mission is significant not only for symbolising a new chapter in India’s space ambitions but also for its implications in the burgeoning international space economy. It is expected to bolster India’s presence in commercial spaceflight initiatives and scientific collaborations.

 

Shukla’s mother, reacting to the milestone, said, “This is all because of his hard work,” reflecting the emotional resonance the mission has evoked among families and citizens alike.