With the launch of the Axiom-4 mission, nearly forty years after Wing Commander Rakesh Sharma made history in 1984, India has made a momentous comeback. This time, Group Captain Shubhanshu Shukla became the country's second astronaut to go into orbit, marking an exciting chapter for Indian space endeavors. The pilot of the Axiom-4 Mission, Group Captain Shubhanshu Shukla, really made India proud by sharing a heartfelt message right after reaching orbit. It was a moment that showed just how far India's space program has come and how enthusiastic everyone is about exploring space..
"Namaskar, my dear countrymen! What a ride! We are back in space once again after 41 years. It's an amazing ride. We are revolving around the Earth at a speed of 7.5 kilometres per second," he said, expressing the excitement of returning to space after decades.
Reflecting on the national pride the mission carries, he added, "The Tiranga embossed on my shoulders tells me that I am with all of you." He emphasized that the whole point of this mission goes beyond just reaching the International Space Station (ISS): "This journey of mine is not a beginning to the ISS but to India's Human Space Programme."
Calling for unity and collective pride, he urged, "I want all of you to be part of this journey. Your chest, too, should swell with pride... Together, let's initiate India's Human Space Programme."
He signed off with a stirring patriotic message: "Jai Hind! Jai Bharat!"
As part of the Axiom Space’s commercial Axiom-4 mission, Group Captain Shubhanshu Shukla made history on Wednesday when he and three other astronauts headed to the ISS. The news spread fast, and cheers erupted around the world when the launch took off at 12:01 p.m. IST from NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Florida.