Shubhanshu Shukla Embarks on Axiom-4 Mission
Captain Shubhanshu Shukla has embarked on the Axiom-4 mission, representing the aspirations of 1.4 billion Indians. Prime Minister Narendra Modi congratulated him, stating that he is carrying the hopes, dreams, and ambitions of the entire nation into space.
Prime Minister’s X Post
Prime Minister Modi shared a motivational message on his official social media account: “We welcome the successful launch of the space mission carrying astronauts from India, Hungary, Poland, and the United States. Indian astronaut Captain Shubhanshu Shukla is on his way to becoming the first Indian to visit the International Space Station. He is taking with him the wishes, hopes, and aspirations of 1.4 billion Indians. Wishing all the astronauts success.”
First Axiom Mission Traveler
Indian Air Force Captain Shubhanshu Shukla is leading the Axiom-4 mission. He is one of the four astronauts heading to the International Space Station (ISS) as part of this mission. The mission is being operated in collaboration between Axiom Space, NASA, and SpaceX.
How the Axiom-4 Mission Launched
The Axiom-4 mission launched from NASA’s Kennedy Space Center in Florida. The flight took off at 12:01 PM (Indian Standard Time) via SpaceX’s Falcon 9 rocket from Launch Pad 39A. The crew, consisting of representatives from India, the United States, Poland, and Hungary, were transported to space aboard the SpaceX Dragon spacecraft.
NASA Confirms Launch
Following the successful launch of the Axiom-4 mission, NASA also confirmed the event. NASA posted on X: “We have launched the Axiom Mission 4. Axiom Mission 4 launched at 2:31 AM EDT (12:01 PM IST) on June 25 from Launch Complex 39A. The mission will send four private astronauts to the space station for a 14-day duration.”
Shubhanshu Shukla’s Historic Role
A significant aspect of the Axiom-4 mission is that Captain Shubhanshu Shukla will be the first Indian to travel to the ISS under a private space mission. This marks a new chapter in India’s space history, following the historic journey of Rakesh Sharma in 1984.
Shubhanshu’s Message from Space
Following his arrival in space, Captain Shubhanshu Shukla shared his first message to the nation: “I carry the tricolor of India on my shoulders. This is not just a journey to the International Space Station, but the beginning of India’s human space program. I want every Indian to be a part of this proud moment.”