Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s interaction with Group Captain Shubhanshu Shukla marks a historic moment for India, celebrating its return to human spaceflight after more than four decades. Shukla, the mission pilot for the Axiom-4 (Ax-4) mission, became the first Indian to travel to the International Space Station (ISS), following in the footsteps of Rakesh Sharma’s 1984 mission.
The SpaceX Dragon spacecraft, launched from NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Florida, successfully docked with the ISS after a 28-hour journey, linking up with the Harmony module. The Ax-4 crew includes:
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Group Captain Shubhanshu Shukla (India) – Mission Pilot
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Peggy Whitson (USA) – Mission Commander
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Sawosz Uznanski (Poland) – Mission Specialist
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Tibor Kapu (Hungary) – Mission Specialist
Shukla has now earned his Space Station pin, officially becoming astronaut number 634.
In a moment filled with national pride, Shukla addressed the nation with “Namaskar from space,” acknowledging the responsibility of carrying the aspirations of 1.4 billion Indians. In his first message from the ISS, he described the experience as “better than expected”, noting the warmth of the ISS crew and his excitement for the scientific journey ahead.
PM Modi, in visuals released by the PMO on X (formerly Twitter), was seen warmly interacting with Shukla, both smiling during the historic exchange. The full conversation will be broadcast shortly, likely highlighting India’s growing ambition in space collaboration and innovation.
Over the 14-day mission, the Ax-4 crew will engage in more than 60 scientific experiments and outreach activities, making it Axiom’s most ambitious mission yet. Their work includes:
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Cancer research
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DNA repair studies
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Advanced manufacturing techniques in microgravity
This mission underscores India’s increasing role in global space partnerships and the expanding scope of commercial spaceflight, with collaborations involving NASA, SpaceX, and Axiom Space.
Group Captain Shubhanshu Shukla’s journey is not only a personal achievement but also a landmark for Indian science, symbolizing a new chapter in India’s space exploration era.
