New Delhi, June 25 (H.S.) : Group Captain Shubhanshu Shukla of the Indian Air Force, part of NASA's Axiom-4 mission, has sent his first message from space, expressing pride in carrying the Indian tricolor after 41 years, following Squadron Leader Rakesh Sharma's historic journey in 1984. After several delays, NASA launched Axiom-4 from the Kennedy Space Center, with SpaceX's Falcon 9 rocket lifting off toward the International Space Station (ISS) at 12:01 PM Indian time. The X-4 crew includes astronauts from India, Poland, and Hungary, with Shukla marking the second Indian in space. Leading the mission is experienced astronaut Peggy Whitson, while Sławosz Uznański-Wiśniewski of Poland, and Hungarian engineer Tibor Kapu join the flight. The spacecraft is expected to dock with the ISS around 4:30 PM on Thursday after nearly 28 hours of travel.

Following the launch, the Indian Air Force celebrated Shukla's mission on social media, highlighting the journey's inspiration rooted in the spirit of Indian Air Force personnel. Shukla described his experience as incredible, noting the spacecraft's orbiting speed of 7.5 kilometers per second and emphasized his connection to fellow countrymen through the tricolor. He framed this mission as more than just a personal achievement—it serves as a catalyst for India's human space program, urging collective national pride and excitement in space exploration.

The Axiom-4 mission includes 60 scientific studies from 31 countries, focusing on broadening participation and enhancing international cooperation in microgravity research. The mission's research aims to contribute to global knowledge in human health, Earth observation, and various biological and physical sciences, underscoring India's growing role in space exploration and scientific advancement.

Hindusthan Samachar / Jun Sarkar