As the Axiom-4 mission lifted off successfully on Wednesday, Indian astronaut Shubhanshu Shukla’s family celebrated with joy in Lucknow. His father, Shambhu Dayal Shukla, and mother, Asha Shukla expressed happiness and shed tears as they watched the launch live. The much-awaited Axiom-4 mission, carrying Shukla was successfully launched to the ISS after facing several delays. The lift-off took place at 12:01 PM (IST) from Launch Complex 39A at NASA’s Kennedy Space Centre in Florida. The mission is being piloted by IAF Group Captain Shubhanshu Shukla.
Talking to ANI, Shubhanshu Shukla’s father expressed that he is happy and all this is God’s blessings. “It feels great. This was all God’s blessings. We are happy,” said Shambhu Shukla.
#WATCH | In Lucknow, UP, #AxiomMission4 pilot, Group Captain Shubhanshu Shukla's father, Shambhu Dayal Shukla, says, "It feels great. This was all God's blessings…" pic.twitter.com/zbkQn80gFx
— ANI (@ANI) June 25, 2025
His mother also got emotional and stated that everyone is happy. “Everyone is happy. These are tears of joy,” she told reporters.
#WATCH | Lucknow, Uttar Pradesh: Mother of IAF Group Captain & astronaut Shubhanshu Shukla, Asha Shukla, gets emotional as she cheers for her son, who is part of the #AxiomMission4 pic.twitter.com/62Ki2J3hRU
— ANI (@ANI) June 25, 2025
Union Minister Dr Jitendra Singh, who was watching the launch live in Delhi said that this marks a significant step in India’s Human Space Programme. He said, “This heralds the ascent of India to the pedestal of Viksit Bharat.”
#WATCH | "…This heralds the ascent of India to the pedestal of Viksit Bharat," says Union Minister Dr Jitendra Singh on launch of #Axiom4Mission piloted by IAF's Group Captain Shubhanshu Shukla. pic.twitter.com/ZVt0x42hau
— ANI (@ANI) June 25, 2025
Earlier, talking to ANI, Shukla’s father asserted that his son’s achievement brings pride not only to Lucknow but also to the entire nation.
“Our blessings are with him, and we also pray to God for his mission to be completed well… He is fully prepared… It feels great to see all the posters that have been put up for him… He is bringing laurels to Lucknow, the state and our country… We are proud of him,” he said.
About Ax-4 Mission
The Ax-4 crew includes members from India, Poland, and Hungary. This marks each nation’s first mission to the space station in history and the second government-sponsored human spaceflight mission in over 40 years. The Ax-4 research complement includes around 60 scientific studies and activities representing 31 countries, including the U.S., India, Poland, Hungary, Saudi Arabia, Brazil, Nigeria, UAE, and nations across Europe. It is considered to be one of the most research and science-related activities conducted on an Axiom Space mission aboard the ISS to date.
