Forty one years after Squadron Leader Rakesh Sharma remarked ‘sare jahan se acha, Hindustan hamara,’ Group Captain Shubhanshu Shukla on Wednesday said “The Tiranga (Tricolour) on my shoulders tells me that I am not alone and I am with all of you.”
These were the first observations by the 39-year-old fighter pilot-turned-astronaut said from the earth’s orbit. He scripted history by embarking on a space odyssey along with three others to the International Space Station as part of a commercial mission by Axiom Space. It was 41 years after astronaut Rakesh Sharma’s spaceflight onboard a Russian spacecraft.
Shukla is expected to participate in several outreach events during his stay at the ISS and is also expected to interact with Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
President Droupadi Murmu, Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Defence Minister Rajnath Singh lauded the launch. Union Cabinet also welcomed the successful launch of the mission.
“As Group Captain Subhanshu Shukla creates a new milestone in space for India, the whole nation is excited and proud of an Indian’s journey into the stars. He and his fellow astronauts of Axiom Mission 4 from the US, Poland and Hungary prove the world is indeed one family — Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam,” the President said in a social media post.
“My best wishes for the success of this mission, which reflects the enduring partnership between NASA and ISRO. The wide-ranging experiments to be performed by the crew will lead to new frontiers of scientific studies and space exploration,” President Murmu said.
Welcoming the launch, Prime Minister Modi said astronaut Shubhanshu Shukla carries with him the wishes, hopes and aspirations of 140 crore Indians.
“We welcome the successful launch of the Space Mission carrying astronauts from India, Hungary, Poland and the US,” Modi said in a social media post. He said Group Captain Shukla is on the way to become the first Indian to go to International Space Station. “He carries with him the wishes, hopes and aspirations of 1.4 billion Indians. Wish him and other astronauts all the success.” “We welcome the successful launch of the Space Mission carrying astronauts from India, Hungary, Poland and the US,” read the resolution adopted at the meeting of the Union Cabinet chaired by Prime Minister Modi.
SpaceX’s Falcon-9 rocket blasted off from the Kennedy Space Centre in Florida at 12:01 pm IST carrying the astronauts of the Axiom-4 mission towards the ISS amid cheers from watch parties organised across the world, including at Shukla’s City Montessori School in Lucknow where his parents witnessed the historic launch.
The astronauts began orbiting the Earth 10 minutes after the launch, prompting Shukla to announce India’s return to human spaceflight after 41 years. “Kamaal ki ride thi (It was a great ride),” Shukla said soon after the Dragon spacecraft was placed in orbit around the Earth at an altitude of 200 km.
The spacecraft is expected to dock at the ISS at 4:30 pm on Thursday, capping a 28-hour journey.
The Lucknow-born Shukla, former NASA astronaut Mission Commander Peggy Whitson, Slawosz Uznanski-Wisniewski of Poland, and Tibor Kapu of Hungary are part of the Axiom-4 mission that marks the return to space for the three nations.
Shukla became the first Indian astronaut to travel to the International Space Station after Rakesh Sharma’s eight days in orbit as part of the then Soviet Union’s Salyut-7 space station in 1984.
“Namaskar, my dear countrymen; we have reached space after 41 years. It was a great ride,” Shukla said. “We are orbiting Earth at a speed of 7.5 km per second, I have the Indian tricolour embossed on my shoulders that tells me that I am with all of you,” he said in Hindi.
“It is not just the start of my journey to the ISS but also of India’s human spaceflight. I want each one of you to be part of this journey, let us embark on India’s human space programme together,” Shukla said.
Once in orbit, the astronauts revealed the name they gave to their brand-new capsule - Grace. “Good things come to those who wait. Godspeed to the maiden crew of Grace,” SpaceX told the crew.
The astronauts will spend 14 days at the International Space Station and conduct 60 experiments during their mission.
In addition to science experiments, the astronauts are flying food that celebrates their heritage: Indian curry and rice with mango nectar; spicy Hungarian paprika paste; and freeze-fried Polish pierogies.
Before the flight, Shukla said that he hopes “to ignite the curiosity of an entire generation in my country” and drive innovation.
“I truly believe that even though I, as an individual, am travelling to space, this is the journey of 1.4 billion people,” he said.
Hailing Axiom-4 mission, the IAF said Group Captain Shubahanshu Shukla has set forth on a landmark space odyssey, carrying the pride of the nation beyond the Earth, and asserted it is reaffirmation of India’s ever-expanding horizon.
Defence Minister Rajnath Singh, too, shared his thoughts on the feat and posted “The Space Mission carrying astronauts from four countries including India is going to be a significant milestone in the history of space exploration.”
“From conquering the skies to touching the stars - a journey powered by the indomitable spirit of the IAF Air Warrior. Group Captain Shubahanshu Shukla sets forth on a landmark Space Mission, carrying the pride of the nation beyond Earth,” the IAF posted.
It also shared a profile photo of Lucknow-born Shukla, with a caption “Trained in Blue, Bound for the Stars” along with a tricoloured message, reading, “Wishing You Success in this Glorious Mission”.
“This is a dèjà-vu moment for India, 41 years after the mission of Sqn Ldr Rakesh Sharma, who first carried our Tricolour beyond Earth. Being more than a mission - it is reaffirmation of India’s ever-expanding horizon. #IndianAirForce #MissionSpace #IndianAstronaut,” the IAF posted.
Rajnath Singh also posted, “The Indian Astronaut, Group Captain Shubhanshu Shukla who hails from Lucknow is set to be the first Indian to go to International Space Station. The country is proud of him. Wishing him and his fellow space travellers success in their endeavours.”
The Congress also hailed the successful launch of Axiom-4 space mission. “‘Touch the Sky with Glory’. We welcome the successful launch of the space mission carrying astronauts from India, Hungary, Poland, and the US,” Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge said in a social media post.
He said after Rakesh Sharma in 1984, Shubhanshu Shukla is now en route to becoming the second Indian to travel to space after 41 years. “We pray for his successful mission. The entire nation is proud of this achievement,” Kharge said.
In a post, Congress leader Rahul Gandhi said, “A proud moment for every Indian as Group Captain Shubhanshu Shukla launches off on his journey to the International Space Station.”
“41 years after Squadron Leader Rakesh Sharma became the first Indian in space, he now carries forward that legacy, inspiring every Indian,” he said, wishing him and the team a safe and successful return.
The Congress, on its official social media also said, “Historic moment! Congratulations to Group Captain Shubhanshu Shukla and the international crew on their successful space mission launch!”.
“Following Squadron Leader Rakesh Sharma’s pioneering journey in 1984, Shubhanshu Shukla is the second Indian to travel to space after 41 years. We’re incredibly proud of him, representing India’s growing presence in space exploration! Wishing them a safe and successful journey to the cosmos!,” the Congress said.