India has sent its first astronaut to space after 41 years today, making history. Group Captain Shubhanshu Shukla made 1.4 billion Indian’s space dreams come true when he rocketed into space the Axiom Mission 4 (Ax-4), a multi-national crew mission that launched from NASA’s Kennedy Space Centre in Florida.
This is our country’s second-ever venture into human spaceflight since Rakesh Sharma’s trailblazing flight aboard Russia’s Soyuz T-11 in 1984. While Sharma’s iconic first words in space were ‘Saare Jahaan Se Accha’, Captain Shukla marked his crossing into the final frontier with the greetings, “Namaskar, mere pyaare desh vaasiyon. What a ride!”
First Indian to visit the ISS
An added milestone for India is the fact that Shubhanshu Shukhla piloted the SpaceX Dragon spacecraft, which successfully docked at the ISS after a 26-hour journey. He’s also the first Indian to visit the International Space Station (ISS), NASA’s orbiting laboratory.
This space flight is a collaboration between NASA, ISRO, the European Space Agency and Houston-based private company Axiom Space is operating the spacecraft. Led by former NASA astronaut Peggy Whitson – a space veteran who has been ISS commander twice and clocked 10 spacewalks- Poland’s Slawosz Uznanski-Wisniewski and Hungary’s Tibor Kapu are the other crew members on this mission.
Who is Captain Shubhanshu Shukla?
The 39-year-old Lucknow native is a decorated Indian Air Force officer and ISRO astronaut-designate. He has piloted MiGs, Sukhois, Dorniers, Jaguars and Hawks with more than 2000 hours of flying experience.
Captain Shukla’s journey into space isn’t just symbolic — it’s a stepping stone toward India’s ambitious Gaganyaan mission. As one of four Air Force officers shortlisted for India’s first independent human spaceflight in 2027, he’ll use the insights and data from this two-week mission to support ISRO’s research and pave the way for India’s space station by 2035.
What will Shbhanshu Shukla do at the ISS?
Over the next 14 days, Captain Shukla and his three crewmates will conduct scientific experiments for their respective national space agencies. ISRO has commissioned Shukla to run 7 experiments related to growing edible microalgae and a variety of Indian crops in zero-gravity. Besides, he will also be part of research on muscle loss and the mental health impact of using screens in microgravity.
Indian Sweets have made it to space
In the days leading up to the launch, Shubham Shukla said at a press conference, “As I go into space, I carry not just instruments and equipment, I carry hopes and dreams of a billion hearts. But that’s not all he’s carrying on this cosmic voyage.”
This astronaut’s zero-gravity trip won’t be zero-sugar — he’s surprisingly packed his favourite Indian sweets to feel close to home. And so, aam ras, gajar ka halwa, and moong daal halwa are the desi delicacies to earn out-of-this-world status. Every Indian who’s travelled abroad can relate to that sentiment!