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India celebrates as Falcon 9 returns from ISS mission with astronaut Shubhanshu Shukla onboard, marking a proud milestone in space exploration.
India marked a historic milestone in space exploration as Shubhanshu Shukla became the first Indian astronaut in 41 years to reach the International Space Station (ISS), following in the footsteps of Rakesh Sharma.
His journey aboard the Axiom-4 mission, launched from Florida, symbolizes a new era of innovation and reawakens national pride in India’s pursuit of human spaceflight.
India achieved a historic milestone in human spaceflight on Wednesday, as Shubhanshu Shukla became the first Indian astronaut to reach the International Space Station (ISS), marking the nation’s return to crewed space missions 41 years after Rakesh Sharma’s iconic journey.
Shukla is participating in Axiom Space’s fourth private spaceflight mission, which launched aboard a SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket from NASA’s Kennedy Space Center in Florida.
The Axiom-4 mission, featuring veteran astronaut and mission commander Peggy Whitson alongside Poland’s Slawosz Uznanski-Wisniewski and Hungary’s Tibor Kapu, successfully lifted off at 12:01 PM IST to enthusiastic applause from around the world. One of the most heartwarming moments unfolded at City Montessori School in Lucknow, where the proud parents and school community of astronaut Shukla watched the live launch with emotional eyes and hearts full of hope.
About ten minutes after liftoff, the Dragon capsule successfully reached orbit, traveling at a speed of 7.5 kilometers per second and maintaining an altitude of 200 kilometers above Earth.
What an incredible journey,” Shukla said from space, moments after the spacecraft successfully entered stable orbit. Speaking in Hindi, he added, “Namaskar, my beloved fellow countrymen. After 41 long years, we have once again reached space.”
This isn’t just my journey to the International Space Station — it marks the dawn of India’s human spaceflight era,” Shukla said, proudly wearing a flight suit emblazoned with the Indian tricolour. “I invite every citizen to be part of this historic chapter as we take our first steps into space, together.
The spacecraft Grace is set to dock with the International Space Station (ISS) at approximately 4:30 PM IST on Thursday, following a 28-hour journey. During their 14-day stay aboard the ISS, the astronauts will carry out more than 60 scientific experiments, focusing on human physiology, advancements in space technology, and Earth observation.
As a celebration of their cultural heritage, the crew brought traditional dishes from their respective countries. Shukla will be serving Indian curry with rice, accompanied by mango nectar, while his teammates contributed Hungarian paprika paste and Polish pierogies.
Ahead of the mission, Shukla expressed his hope to spark a wave of curiosity and innovation across the nation. “Though I’m just one person journeying into space, this mission is a tribute to the dreams and aspirations of 1.4 billion Indians,” he said. “My goal is to inspire a new generation to imagine, explore, and create.
The mission has reignited national pride and renewed public enthusiasm for India’s space program. A series of outreach events are scheduled during Shukla’s stay on the International Space Station, including a live interaction with Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
The Axiom-4 mission represents a symbolic and scientific milestone for India, Poland, and Hungary, each sending a representative to space after decades. It underscores the strengthening of international collaboration in space exploration and highlights the expanding role of commercial spaceflight in enabling broader global participation in orbital missions.
As India prepares for its indigenous Gaganyaan mission, Shukla’s journey stands as a compelling testament to the nation’s progress since Rakesh Sharma’s historic flight in 1984 — and a glimpse into the vast possibilities that await among the stars.
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