With his latest journey as the pilot of the Axiom-4 expedition, Group Captain Shubhanshu Shukla became the first Indian to board the International Space Station (ISS). He spoke with Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday from the International Space Station (ISS), where he shared his unique perspectives and experiences while orbiting almost 400 kilometers above the planet.
This mission inspires the country’s youth and represents a major turning point in India’s space aspirations.
The 39-year-old Shukla is only the second Indian to reach space, following Rakesh Sharma’s 1984 voyage. The mission, which began on a SpaceX Dragon spacecraft from NASA’s Kennedy Space Center in Florida, lasted 28 hours and ended with a perfect docking with the Harmony module of the ISS.
He is joined by mission specialists Tibor Kapu (Hungary) and Sawosz Uznanski (Poland), as well as mission commander Peggy Whitson (USA). With more than 60 experiments in advanced manufacturing, DNA repair, and cancer research, the Axiom-4 mission stands out for its ambitious scientific objective and emphasizes the growing importance of commercial and international collaborations in space exploration.
Shukla highlighted Earth’s borderless character while describing the stunning picture of the planet from space during the live chat with PM Modi. According to him, India appears considerably larger and more majestic from orbit than it does on maps, which strengthens the feeling of our common humanity. “From the outside, it appears that there are no borders, states, or nations on Earth.
All of us belong to humanity. We all live on Earth, which is our one home,” he declared. This viewpoint promotes a message of universal togetherness by highlighting the significant influence that space travel has on one’s worldview.
Despite Shukla’s physical distance from the homeland, PM Modi acknowledged his historic accomplishment and said that all 140 crore Indians still hold a special place in their hearts for the astronaut. The Prime Minister emphasized Shukla’s name’s auspiciousness and referred to his voyage as a “new beginning” for India’s youth, encouraging them to have ambitious dreams. Modi congratulated Shukla for flying the Indian flag into space and wished him luck for the rest of his mission, expressing the nation’s pride and excitement.
Shukla thanked the Prime Minister and the Indian people for their well wishes and encouragement. He thanked the revolutionary leadership that has enabled India to achieve its space aspirations and characterized the mission as a national journey. Despite intensive training, he openly discussed the difficulties of adjusting to living in zero gravity, especially the issue of sleeping in a weightless environment.
In order to highlight Indian culture beyond Earth, the astronaut also recounted a humorous anecdote about bringing traditional Indian treats like Aamras (mango juice) and Gajar Ka Halwa (carrot pudding) to space and sharing them with his fellow astronauts.
Using the occasion, PM Modi urged Shukla to keep moving India’s space program forward by bringing up the Gaganyaan mission, the intention to establish an Indian space station, and the ambitions to send Indian astronauts to the moon. He underlined that Shukla’s historic voyage will fortify students’ and young Indians’ determination to explore space, with his experience serving as a springboard for further endeavors.
Shukla emphasized the value of mindfulness and composure in the workplace, stating that these traits are necessary for making wise choices in high-stress situations. He concluded with the patriotic chant “Bharat Mata ki Jai,” expressing his pride and commitment to the country, and gave a motivational speech to young people, saying, “The sky is never the limit.”
Shukla described the bizarre sensation of floating in zero gravity when he first arrived at the ISS, saying that while it appears effortless on television, his head felt a little heavy. He was given a Space Station pin, making him astronaut number 634.
This is the most ambitious research program of any Axiom mission to date. The Axiom-4 team is expected to spend about 14 days on the ISS, working alongside Expedition 73 crew members and carrying out a variety of scientific and educational activities.
In summary, the mission of Group Captain Shubhanshu Shukla marks a significant milestone for India’s space program. In addition to advancing scientific knowledge, his journey encourages a new generation of Indians to have dreams that go beyond this world.
His thoughts on the difficulties of space living and the unity of Earth offer insightful perspectives on the human condition beyond our globe, and PM Modi’s endorsement shows India’s increasing determination to take the lead in space exploration. This mission is a true “Shubh Aarambh”—a auspicious start to India’s space destiny.
