New Delhi: A day after embarking on a historic journey to the International Space Station (ISS), Indian astronaut Group Captain Shubhanshu Shukla shared a heartwarming second message from orbit, expressing his excitement and gratitude for the once-in-a-lifetime experience. Calling it “an amazing ride,” Shukla said he was adjusting well to life in microgravity and soaking in the spectacular views of Earth from space.
“Namaskar from space. I am thrilled to be here with my fellow astronauts,” said Shukla, beaming as he floated alongside crewmates aboard the ISS. “After 30 days of quarantine, I just wanted to go. What a ride it was!”
The Indian Air Force officer, who became the first Indian to reach space in 41 years, added that the journey was not just a personal triumph, but a shared achievement made possible by the support of his family, friends, and countless well-wishers across the country.
“I want to thank everyone who has been part of this journey. This is not a personal accomplishment. I carry with me the dreams and blessings of an entire nation,” he said.
In a symbolic gesture, Shukla brought a soft toy swan with him—an emblem of wisdom in Indian culture—floating next to him in microgravity. He also proudly mentioned that he wore the Indian Tricolour on his shoulder during the launch, a reminder that “I am not alone in this journey, and that all Indians are a part of it.”
Shukla shared that he is currently getting used to eating in microgravity and enjoying the experience of life aboard the space station. “I’m learning how to eat here. The views are absolutely breathtaking,” he said.
This mission marks a monumental return for India to human spaceflight after over four decades. The last Indian to go into space was Rakesh Sharma in 1984 aboard a Soviet Soyuz spacecraft. Shukla’s flight is part of the Axiom Space Mission, launched from the Kennedy Space Center in Florida at 12:01 pm IST, aboard SpaceX’s Crew Dragon spacecraft, powered by a Falcon-9 rocket.
The mission crew includes Commander Peggy Whitson, a veteran NASA astronaut; Hungarian engineer Tibor Kapu; Polish scientist Slawosz Uznanski-Wisniewski; and Shubhanshu Shukla, serving as the mission pilot.
The launch, watched live across the globe, was met with joyous cheers in viewing parties in India, Hungary, Poland, and the United States. Family members, fellow servicemen, and enthusiastic citizens witnessed the moment Shukla and the multinational crew blasted off from the very same site that launched the Apollo-11 moon mission in 1969.
In his first message shortly after reaching orbit on Wednesday, Shukla said: “Namaskar, my dear countrymen, we have reached space after 41 years. It was a great ride.” He described orbiting Earth at 7.5 km per second, highlighting the sheer speed and scale of the journey.
The mission represents not just a technological feat but a source of immense pride for India, showcasing the country’s growing presence in the global space community. Shukla’s words from space have already struck an emotional chord with millions back home, as the country celebrates this landmark moment in its space exploration journey.
With several days of mission activities lined up, Shubhanshu Shukla is expected to participate in research experiments and outreach events, continuing to inspire a new generation of Indian dreamers looking toward the stars.
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