In a moment of pride for India, Group Captain Shubhanshu Shukla launched into space on Wednesday, June 25, as part of the NASA-Axiom Space Mission Ax-4.
India’s Space Milestone: Shubhanshu Shukla Joins Axiom-4 Mission
Alongside three other international astronauts, he took off from NASA’s Kennedy Space Center in Cape Canaveral, Florida at 12:01 PM IST aboard a SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket carrying the Crew Dragon capsule.
The spacecraft is now headed towards the International Space Station (ISS). Today, June 26, at 4:30 PM IST, the ISS is scheduled to arrive at its space-facing port. The mission marks a major step in the global push for commercial space exploration.
The Axiom-4 mission is a joint effort by Axiom Space, a Texas-based private company, in partnership with SpaceX. It is part of a broader plan to eventually build the world’s first commercial space station. For India, this mission is especially significant, as it places an Indian astronaut back in space after decades.
Shubhanshu Shukla welcomed Earth with a joyous “Namaskar from space” just after entering orbit. This straightforward yet heartfelt message swiftly won over the hearts and attention of people worldwide when it was aired during the live telecast. Speaking from zero gravity, he compared learning spacewalking to learning how to walk as a baby — describing how each move had to be carefully learned and controlled.
Groundbreaking Mission: Indian Astronauts Shukla and Nair Embark on Epic ISS Voyage
The Indian government also acknowledged the importance of this historic event. The Union Cabinet passed a resolution praising the successful launch. The official statement read, “He carries with him the wishes, hopes, and aspirations of 1.4 billion Indians.”
Launch Faced Setbacks Before Takeoff
Although the launch on June 25 was successful, the Axiom-4 mission, which carried India’s Group Captain Shubhanshu Shukla, had faced several delays before finally lifting off. A number of technical issues caused the mission, originally planned for May 29, to be postponed.
One of the key concerns was a technical issue in the launch vehicle itself. In addition, problems were detected in the ISS’s Russian-built Zvezda service module, which had previously shown signs of pressure leakage. This became a major safety concern for astronauts, including Shubhanshu Shukla, who was slated to travel aboard the mission.
This issue wasn’t new. Reports dating back to 2019 had already noted potential leaks in the Zvezda module. Over the years, the module was monitored closely, and several repair procedures were undertaken by international space agencies, including NASA and Roscosmos, to ensure the safety of the Ax-4 crew. For Shubhanshu Shukla and his fellow astronauts, engineers made sure all risk factors were addressed before giving the final green light.
Besides the Zvezda module concerns, weather-related conditions and logistical hurdles also contributed to the delays. However, once all safety checks were passed and conditions became favorable, the mission — carrying Shubhanshu Shukla aboard the Crew Dragon capsule — proceeded without any further interruptions.
All about International Space Station: 16 Orbits of Earth in 24 Hours
The launch sequence itself went as planned. The Falcon 9 rocket fired up its engines and lifted off smoothly, sending the spacecraft into orbit. Shubhanshu Shukla, along with the rest of the crew, has since been heading toward the International Space Station, marking a proud moment for Indian space history.
Learning in Space: “It’s Like Being a Baby Again”
After reaching orbit, Shubhanshu Shukla shared his early experiences in microgravity. One of the most memorable things he mentioned was how learning to move in space is unlike anything experienced on Earth. “It’s like being a baby again,” he said during a communication session from the spacecraft.
He explained that astronauts need to relearn how to control their limbs in a zero-gravity environment. Without gravity to guide their steps, even simple tasks like pushing buttons or turning around can feel entirely different. Every action must be done with careful coordination.
The Crew Dragon capsule provides the astronauts with a safe and controlled environment as they adjust to the new conditions. Training for such missions takes months, and even then, the actual feeling of weightlessness can still surprise first-time astronauts.
This mission is also symbolic of how international cooperation is shaping the future of space. The Ax-4 team includes astronauts from different countries, working together for scientific research and expanding the possibilities of human spaceflight.
Particularly in India, popular interest in the mission has increased dramatically. Messages of delight and pride are all over social media. Schools and science centers have been broadcasting the mission updates to students, helping young learners understand the significance of this global space venture.
As the Crew Dragon prepares to dock at the ISS, all systems remain stable. The crew is expected to conduct several experiments and technical activities aboard the space station during their stay, focusing on commercial operations and scientific collaboration.
