‘Namaskar from Space’: Shukla’s Historic ISS Message
NEW DELHI: India’s pride soared to new heights as astronaut Shubhanshu Shukla, aboard the Axiom-4 mission, greeted the world with his first message from space: “Namaskar from Space.” This marks India’s return to human spaceflight after more than four decades.
Floating in zero gravity, Shukla shared his emotions: “What a ride it was! The moment I sat in the capsule, the only thought was, ‘let’s just go.’ And suddenly, silence… just floating in the vacuum.”
He expressed gratitude to his family, mentors, and the Indian people. “It is not just my personal accomplishment, it’s a collective achievement,” Shukla said, acknowledging the role of ISRO, Axiom Space, and the Indian scientific community.
Mission Details: Axiom-4 En Route to ISS
Shukla is accompanied by Commander Peggy Whitson (USA), Slawosz Uznanski-Wisniewski (Poland), and Tibor Kapu (Hungary). The crew is flying aboard the SpaceX Dragon capsule, scheduled to dock with the International Space Station (ISS) via the Harmony module at 7 AM EDT, Thursday.
This historic flight positions Shukla as the second Indian in space after Rakesh Sharma’s 1984 mission.
From Europe to the Cosmos: A View of Earth
During the video update, the crew mentioned they were flying over Europe and shared a stunning glimpse of Earth from space. Shukla said, “Enjoying the views, learning like a baby.”
India Returns to Space: After 41 Years
Shukla’s mission marks a new chapter in India’s space journey. While ISRO gears up for Gaganyaan, this commercial mission via Axiom provides valuable experience in global cooperation and long-duration spaceflight.
With this, India officially re-enters the human spaceflight domain, reigniting the imagination of millions.
Key Takeaways
- Shubhanshu Shukla becomes second Indian in space after 41 years.
- His first message from orbit: “Namaskar from Space.”
- Axiom-4 crew will dock at ISS Harmony module on June 27.
- Mission includes astronauts from India, USA, Poland, and Hungary.