India is in high spirits following the successful launch of the Axiom-4 (Ax-4) mission, which features a multi-national crew including Group Captain Shubhanshu Shukla, making him only the second Indian in history to travel to space. Scheduled to dock at the International Space Station (ISS) in about 26 hours, Shukla will not only be the first Indian to reach NASA's orbiting laboratory but also initiates a new era for the country’s human space exploration.
The Ax-4 mission, piloted by the experienced former NASA astronaut Peggy Whitson, launched from NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Florida at 02:31 EDT on Wednesday. Group Captain Shukla's expedition is especially significant since it comes 41 years after Rakesh Sharma, the first Indian astronaut, flew aboard a Russian Soyuz spacecraft in 1984. This historic endeavor has generated immense excitement throughout India, with ISRO emphasizing that the experience gained by Shukla will significantly contribute to the nation's future space endeavors.
Shukla, aged 39, was chosen among four Indian Air Force officers last year in anticipation of India's first manned space flight slated for 2027. Aspiring to establish a space station by 2035 and to send an astronaut to the Moon by 2040, India is advancing rapidly in space technology. ISRO invested 5 billion rupees (USD 59 million) to secure Shukla's spot on the Ax-4 mission and to cover his training expenses.
After takeoff, Shukla reached out to his fellow countrymen, expressing pride and a strong sense of responsibility: “This is not just about me; this is the beginning of India’s human spaceflight journey.” The launch was heralded across social media and news channels, and Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi warmly congratulated the mission. In Lucknow, Shukla’s hometown, crowds gathered in schools to witness the launch, filled with jubilation.
Having been born in Lucknow on October 10, 1985, and serving as a fighter pilot since 2006, Shukla boasts over 2,000 hours of flying experience on various aircraft. Reflecting on the past year, he described it as transformative and filled with excitement, encouraging all Indians to pray for their mission's success.
During his two-week mission aboard the ISS, Group Captain Shukla will participate in a rigorous schedule that includes a variety of scientific experiments. Of particular interest to ISRO are seven experiments rooted in Indian science, including studies on crop seed viability in microgravity, the cultivation of microalgae for potential use in food and life support systems, and the behavioral response of tardigrades in space conditions.
As the mission progresses, plans for Shukla to interact with Indian students and even Prime Minister Modi while in orbit have been outlined, further heightening the public's enthusiasm. This mission not only showcases India's technological advancements but also its growing aspirations in the field of space exploration.
The Ax-4 mission, piloted by the experienced former NASA astronaut Peggy Whitson, launched from NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Florida at 02:31 EDT on Wednesday. Group Captain Shukla's expedition is especially significant since it comes 41 years after Rakesh Sharma, the first Indian astronaut, flew aboard a Russian Soyuz spacecraft in 1984. This historic endeavor has generated immense excitement throughout India, with ISRO emphasizing that the experience gained by Shukla will significantly contribute to the nation's future space endeavors.
Shukla, aged 39, was chosen among four Indian Air Force officers last year in anticipation of India's first manned space flight slated for 2027. Aspiring to establish a space station by 2035 and to send an astronaut to the Moon by 2040, India is advancing rapidly in space technology. ISRO invested 5 billion rupees (USD 59 million) to secure Shukla's spot on the Ax-4 mission and to cover his training expenses.
After takeoff, Shukla reached out to his fellow countrymen, expressing pride and a strong sense of responsibility: “This is not just about me; this is the beginning of India’s human spaceflight journey.” The launch was heralded across social media and news channels, and Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi warmly congratulated the mission. In Lucknow, Shukla’s hometown, crowds gathered in schools to witness the launch, filled with jubilation.
Having been born in Lucknow on October 10, 1985, and serving as a fighter pilot since 2006, Shukla boasts over 2,000 hours of flying experience on various aircraft. Reflecting on the past year, he described it as transformative and filled with excitement, encouraging all Indians to pray for their mission's success.
During his two-week mission aboard the ISS, Group Captain Shukla will participate in a rigorous schedule that includes a variety of scientific experiments. Of particular interest to ISRO are seven experiments rooted in Indian science, including studies on crop seed viability in microgravity, the cultivation of microalgae for potential use in food and life support systems, and the behavioral response of tardigrades in space conditions.
As the mission progresses, plans for Shukla to interact with Indian students and even Prime Minister Modi while in orbit have been outlined, further heightening the public's enthusiasm. This mission not only showcases India's technological advancements but also its growing aspirations in the field of space exploration.
