India has returned to human space travel after 41 years, as astronaut Shubhanshu Shukla became the first Indian to reach the International Space Station since Rakesh Sharma’s mission in 1984.
Shukla, who was born in Lucknow, is part of Axiom Space’s fourth private mission, which launched aboard SpaceX’s Falcon 9 rocket from NASA’s Kennedy Space Center in Florida at 12:01 pm IST.
Just 10 minutes after lift-off, the Dragon spacecraft carrying Shukla and three other astronauts began orbiting Earth, prompting Shukla to make a proud announcement.
“Kamaal ki ride thi,” he said with a smile, describing the launch as a thrilling experience. Speaking in Hindi, he added, “Namaskar, my dear countrymen; we have reached space after 41 years. It was a great ride.”
The spacecraft is flying at 7.5 kilometers per second and is expected to dock at the International Space Station around 4:30 pm on Thursday after a 28-hour journey.
Shukla was joined on the mission by former NASA astronaut Peggy Whitson, Slawosz Uznanski-Wisniewski of Poland, and Tibor Kapu of Hungary. This mission also marks a return to space for Poland and Hungary.
“I have the Indian tricolour embossed on my shoulders that tells me I am with all of you,” Shukla said, sharing his excitement with fellow Indians.
During his stay at the ISS, Shukla is expected to join several outreach events and hold a conversation with Nigerian Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
