“Namaskar!” the happy salutation that Indian astronaut Shubhanshu Shukla offered during his first live call from orbit was a historic one, emblematic of India’s long-awaited return to human spaceflight after a four-decade hiatus.
Shukla, who was floating 418 kilometers above Earth inside the Crew Dragon, spoke of the first few minutes in space as “certainly indescribable.”
When he described the exhilaration of adjusting to life in zero gravity, Shukla had a big grin on his face and a sense of wonder in his voice.
“I’m still getting used to zero gravity — like a baby learning how to walk, figuring out how to move and control myself. But I’m really enjoying every moment,” he said, laughter bubbling through as he added, “But I’m really enjoying every moment,” and shared that he has been “sleeping a lot.”
This journey, launched Wednesday from the Kennedy Space Center in Florida at 12:01 pm IST, is nothing short of historic. Onboard Elon Musk’s SpaceX Falcon-9 rocket, the Axiom Space mission—Ax-4—is carrying a four-member multinational crew. Alongside Shukla, a decorated Group Captain in the Indian Air Force, are former NASA astronaut Commander Peggy Whitson, Tibor Kapu of Hungary, and Slawosz Uznanski-Wisniewski of Poland.
Now on its way to the International Space Station (ISS), the Dragon spacecraft — called Grace by the crew — is getting ready to dock for a 14-day orbital mission. The astronauts will conduct more than 60 microgravity experiments during this period.
This mission is very signficant to Shukla, not just as a personal achievement but also as a representation of the advancement of the country.
“Seeing the Indian tricolour reminded me that all of you are with me on this journey. This is a strong step forward for India’s human space program and for the upcoming Gaganyaan mission. I want each one of you to feel like a part of this mission. It’s not just about technical ambition — it’s about the spirit and purpose behind the entire journey. Over the next 14 days, I aim to complete key tasks and capture my experiences, so I can share them with you all,” he said, his voice rich with pride and purpose.
Yet this is not all.
Seven innovative experiments created by ISRO and other Indian organisations are among those important duties, and they are intended to advance India’s space exploration ambitions.
Shukla offered a perspective of the planet’s beauty from a great altitude, describing the scene as merely “beautiful.”
As the Ax-4 crew orbits the globe, his mission becomes more than a scientific endeavour. It is about dreams realised, of a nation’s reach into the cosmos, and of the human spirit that dares to explore the unknown.
Also Read: Umesh Makwana Resigns As Whip, AAP Suspends Him For Five Years https://www.vibesofindia.com/umesh-makwana-resigns-as-whip-aap-suspends-him-for-five-years/
