Shubhanshu Shukla Follows Rakesh Sharma’s Legacy; Becomes First Indian On ISS After 41 Years

Shubhanshu Shukla: Group Captain Shubhanshu Shukla of the Indian Air Force has begun a landmark journey, becoming the first Indian to travel to the International Space Station (ISS).

Speaking during the mission’s early moments, Shukla remarked, “This is not my journey alone, but I am carrying the Indian flag with me, and this is the journey of India’s human space flight.”

His mission marks a major national milestone, as India sends an astronaut to space after a gap of 41 years.

Shukla follows in the footsteps of Rakesh Sharma, who became the first Indian in space in 1984.

The launch, which had faced multiple delays, finally took place at 2:31 AM EDT (12 noon IST) on Wednesday from NASA’s Kennedy Space Centre in Florida.

The crew lifted off aboard SpaceX’s Falcon 9 rocket, travelling in a newly built Dragon spacecraft.

Axiom Space, the private space company leading the mission in partnership with NASA and SpaceX, confirmed the successful launch with a post.

The post read, “Liftoff for #Ax4. The #Ax4 crew is on its way to the @Space_Station!”

SpaceX also echoed the moment with a brief, “Liftoff of Ax-4!”

Shortly before launch, taking to X, Shukla posted, “INDIA IS RETURNING TO SPACE, JAI HIND”

“After 41 years, India’s flag will fly in space again,” he further added.

In a heartfelt message posted earlier on Instagram, Shukla expressed gratitude to his wife, Kamna.

“Special thanks to @kamnashubha for being the wonderful partner that you are. Without you none of this was possible but more importantly none of this would matter,” he wrote, accompanying a touching photograph of the couple bidding farewell through a glass wall.

He also extended thanks to the many individuals who supported the mission’s preparations.

Shukla serves as the pilot for the Ax-4 mission, led by American astronaut Peggy Whitson.

The international crew also includes Slawosz Uznanski-Wisniewski from Poland and Tibor Kapu from Hungary, both participating as mission specialists.

During his stay on the ISS, Shukla will lead scientific investigations focused on space nutrition and food systems.

His experiments will specifically examine how microgravity and cosmic radiation affect edible microalgae. This algae is likely a potential key food source for future long-duration space missions.

Also Read: ‘India Is Returning To Space, Jai Hind’, Says Shubhanshu Shukla Ahead Of Historic ISS Mission