The successful launch of the Axiom Mission 4 (Ax-4) has ignited a new wave of excitement and national pride in India, marking the return of an Indian astronaut to space after a gap of over four decades. Indian Air Force Group Captain Shubhanshu Shukla embarked on this historic journey to the International Space Station (ISS) as part of a commercial mission, carrying with him the aspirations of 1.4 billion Indians.
The SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket, carrying the Crew Dragon capsule, lifted off from Launch Complex 39A at NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Florida. Eight minutes after the launch, the Falcon 9 returned safely to Earth. The mission, a collaboration between NASA, ISRO (Indian Space Research Organisation), and Axiom Space, also includes astronauts from Hungary and Poland, signifying a renewed commitment to international cooperation in space exploration.
Shubhanshu Shukla's journey is particularly significant as he is only the second Indian to venture into space, following Rakesh Sharma's mission in 1984 aboard the Soviet Union's Salyut-7 space station. He will be the first Indian to visit the International Space Station. In a video message before the launch, Shukla expressed his gratitude and sense of responsibility, stating, "These are moments that really tell you that you are getting to be a part of something that is much larger than yourself."
Back in India, celebrations erupted as the spacecraft soared into the sky. Visuals from Shubhanshu Shukla's residence in Lucknow showed his family, including his emotional mother Asha Shukla, watching the launch with tears of joy and pride. Asha Shukla performed a traditional Indian ritual and virtually fed her son "dahi cheeni" (a mixture of yogurt and sugar) via video call, a gesture symbolizing good luck for his journey. Speaking to the media, she said, "We got overwhelmed." Shubhanshu Shukla's father, Shambhu Dayal Shukla, shared his feelings, saying, "This feels great. I feel very proud and fortunate that I am the father of such a child. This is the most joyous day of my life."
The Axiom-4 mission is not just a symbolic achievement but also a crucial step for India's future space endeavors. Shubhanshu Shukla is expected to play a key role in ISRO's upcoming Gaganyaan human spaceflight program, slated for 2027. This mission will involve five joint science investigations and two in-orbit science, technology, engineering, and mathematics demonstrations between NASA and ISRO.
The mission's objectives include conducting microgravity research, educational outreach, and various commercial activities during their approximately two-week stay aboard the ISS. The Crew Dragon is expected to reach the ISS after a 28-hour flight, docking with the outpost as both vehicles soar 250 miles (400 km) above Earth.
The successful launch of Axiom Mission 4 is a testament to the growing capabilities of commercial space programs and international collaboration in space exploration. It rekindles India's ambition in space and inspires a new generation of scientists, engineers, and astronauts. As Prime Minister Narendra Modi stated on X, Shubhanshu Shukla "carries with him the wishes, hopes, and aspirations of 1.4 billion Indians."
India Matters With Shiv Aroor
NDTV's "India Matters With Shiv Aroor" recently discussed the implications of the Axiom-4 mission. While details of the specific discussion are not available in the provided search snippets, the program often covers topics of national importance, including defense and space exploration. Given the significance of Shubhanshu Shukla's mission, it is likely that the program delved into the technological and strategic aspects of India's involvement in the Axiom-4 mission, as well as its broader implications for the country's space program. "India Matters With Shiv Aroor" also recently covered topics such as the Iran-Israel conflict and India's Advanced Medium Combat Aircraft (AMCA) program.
