June 26, 2025 — Cape Canaveral / Lucknow: Group Captain Shubhanshu Shukla, India’s pioneering astronaut aboard Axiom Mission 4, marked a historic moment today by greeting the nation from space. Speaking from within the SpaceX Crew Dragon capsule en route to the International Space Station (ISS), Shukla opened with a warm “Namaskar, my dear countrymen!”—a phrase that resonated across 1.4 billion hearts.
Shukla described the liftoff as “an amazing ride” and emphasised that his voyage represents a “small but solid step towards India’s human space programme.” He reflected humbly: “Learning like a baby… how to walk and eat in space.”
Liftoff & Docking Timeline 🛰️
- The SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket carrying the Crew Dragon “Grace” mission ignited from Launch Complex 39A at Kennedy Space Center, Florida, at 12:01 PM IST on June 25
- Docking with the ISS is expected at approximately 4:30 PM IST on June 26
A Mission of Firsts and Futures
- Shubhanshu Shukla is the first Indian to visit the ISS and just the second Indian in space, following Rakesh Sharma’s historic 1984 mission ([fr.wikipedia.org][4]).
- He will serve as pilot aboard the four-member crew, alongside commander Peggy Whitson (USA), mission specialists Tibor Kapu (Hungary) and Sławosz Uznański-Wiśniewski (Poland) ([reuters.com][5]).
- The roughly 14-day mission includes ~60 science experiments, covering microgravity studies (including diabetes monitoring), Earth observations, biological and material science research, and technology testing
Symbolism & Outreach
Shubhanshu Shukla is carrying special postcards designed by IISc, celebrating India’s scientific legacy, as well as mementoes honoring Rakesh Sharma . He also pledged interactive sessions with schoolchildren from the ISS, fostering inspiration and STEM enthusiasm among Indian youth .
National Enthusiasm & Pride
India’s Union Cabinet issued a formal resolution, stating Shukla carried “the wishes, hopes and aspirations of 1.4 billion Indians.” Prime Minister Narendra Modi and UP Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath expressed heartfelt congratulations, marking this mission as a milestone in India’s space journey.
Path to Gaganyaan & Beyond
Shubhanshu Shukla is also one of the four astronaut-designates for India’s Gaganyaan mission, planned for launch in 2027—an indigenous crewed flight initiative by ISRO. His ISS experience aboard Ax‑4 is expected to inform preparations for India’s own human spaceflight capability.
Why It Matters
- International collaboration: Ax‑4 is a publicly backed private mission, showcasing the growing role of companies like Axiom Space and SpaceX in enabling global human spaceflight .
- Scientific advancements: Experiments on microgravity, Earth science, and biomedical monitoring (like diabetes devices) could provide insights for both Earth and future space habitation .
- Inspiring a new generation: Live interactions with students and the symbolic “Namaskar” from space aim to ignite curiosity and pride among Indian youth, reinforcing India’s next steps in space exploration.
As Group Captain Shubhanshu Shukla charts a course through Earth’s orbit, his words and actions ripple far beyond the capsule—signalling a new chapter in India’s cosmic aspirations.
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