A snapshot taken by Indian astronaut Shubhanshu Shukla, featuring himself and his Hungarian crewmate Tibor Kapu, has become a viral sensation, capturing the attention of social media users worldwide. The selfie, taken against the backdrop of Earth from the International Space Station (ISS), symbolizes international collaboration and the shared human experience of space exploration.
Shukla and Kapu are part of the Axiom-4 mission, a privately funded trip to the ISS that launched from the Kennedy Space Center in Cape Canaveral, Florida on June 25, 2025. The crew also includes commander Peggy Whitson and Polish astronaut Sławosz Uznański-Wisniewski. This mission marks a significant milestone for space programs in India, Hungary, and Poland, as Shukla, Kapu, and Uznański-Wisniewski are the first citizens of their respective countries to embark on a space journey. While individuals born in India and Hungary have previously journeyed into space, they did so as U.S. citizens.
The image, shared widely across various social media platforms, has garnered positive reactions, with many users expressing awe and inspiration. Comments range from admiring the stunning view of Earth to celebrating the spirit of unity and scientific progress that the mission represents. The selfie's popularity underscores the public's fascination with space exploration and the ability of such ventures to connect people across borders.
Shukla, a pilot in the Indian Air Force, has expressed his hope that his journey will spark curiosity and drive innovation among the younger generation in India. He sees his voyage as a collective journey of 1.4 billion people and plans to conduct outreach events to share his experiences with those back home. Similarly, Kapu, a mechanical engineer, carries the legacy of Hungary's first astronaut, Bertalan Farkas, who flew to space in 1980 with the Soviets. Kapu carried a teddy bear in a cosmonaut suit that also flew with Farkas. Uznański-Wisniewski brought a Polish flag worn by his predecessor, Mirosław Hermaszewski, who passed away in 2022 and was a major supporter of Uznański-Wisniewski.
The Axiom-4 mission is Axiom's fourth chartered flight to the space station since 2022. For Whitson, a veteran astronaut, this is her second time as commander on an Axiom mission. She joined Axiom after retiring from NASA and has spent nearly two years in orbit throughout her career.
In addition to the symbolic importance of the mission, the astronauts are also conducting numerous experiments during their time on the ISS. They also brought food that represents their heritage, such as Indian curry and rice with mango nectar, spicy Hungarian paprika paste, and freeze-dried Polish pierogies. This mission highlights the growing trend of private space ventures and the increasing accessibility of space travel, paving the way for future international collaborations and scientific discoveries.
