“Namaskar, my dear countrymen”, were the first words uttered by Indian astronaut Shubhanshu Shukla as he embarked on the journey to the International Space Station (ISS). The much-awaited Axiom-4 mission, carrying Shukla, was successfully launched to the ISS on Wednesday. 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. The crew is travelling to the ISS on a new SpaceX Dragon spacecraft on the company’s Falcon 9 rocket.
‘Your Chest, Too, Should Swell With Pride’: Shubhanshu Shukla
As the spacecraft lifted off, Shukla addressed the countrymen from inside the carrier, calling it an “amazing ride.” He stated that the crew is revolving around the Earth at a speed of 7.5 kilometres per second. Shukla reiterated that this is not just his journey but also India’s mission to Human Space Programme. He highlighted that the Tiranga embossed on his shoulders reminds him that he is still with everyone.
Shukla has further asked everyone to take pride and be a part of this journey. He ended his statement with a pledge to take forward India’s Human Space Programme and “Jai Hind, Jai Bharat.”
“Namaskar, my dear countrymen! What a ride! We are back in the space once again after 41 years. It’s an amazing ride. We are revolving around the Earth at a speed of 7.5 kilometres per second. The Tiranga embossed on my shoulders tells me that I am with all of you. This journey of mine is not a beginning to the International Space Station (ISS) but to India’s Human Space Programme. I want all of you to be part of this journey. Your chest, too, should swell with pride…Together, let’s initiate India’s Human Space Programme. Jai Hind! Jai Bharat!” Shukla stated.
Indian Air Force tweets, "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. This is a dèjà-vu… pic.twitter.com/XtMQ5w3OzO
— ANI (@ANI) June 25, 2025
Also Read: Axiom-4 Takes Off! Indian Astronaut Shubhanshu Shukla Heads To International Space Station | Video
