Namaskar from Space: Shubhanshu Shukla Rekindles India’s Human Spaceflight After 41 Years

‘What a Ride!’: Shubhanshu Shukla’s Historic Journey to the ISS Marks a New Dawn for India

The first epic message from Indian astronaut Shubhanshu Shukla who set out on a historic space journey for the Axiom-4 mission to the International Space Station (ISS) is directed towards India. The nation was greeted with a namaskar as Group Captain Shubhanshu Shukla the mission’s pilot was launched into space. He added that the tricolor on his shoulder serves as a reminder that India is with him on his journey into space. 

We have finally made it to space after 41 years my dear countrymen. Namaskar mere pyare deshwasiyo hum antriksh mein pahuch gaye hain aur kamaal ki ride thi. As he opened for India Shubhanshu Shukla remarked [It was a great ride]. 

I have the Indian tricolor on my shoulders. Aur mere kandhe par mere saath mera tiranga hai jo mujhe bata raha hai ki…main aap sabke saath hun…ye bharat ke human space program ki shuruaat hai…aur main chahta hun ki aap sabhi deshwasi iss yatra ka hissa banein. Not only is Tricolour the beginning of India’s human spaceflight but it also signifies that I am with you all. Let’s set out on India’s human space program together. I want you all to experience this journey. 

Listen to Shubhanshu Shukla’s First Statements from Space

नमस्कार मेरे प्यारे देशवासियों! हम 41 साल बाद एक बार फिर अंतरिक्ष में वापस आ गए हैं। यह एक अद्भुत सफ़र है। हम 7.5 किलोमीटर प्रति सेकंड की रफ़्तार से पृथ्वी की परिक्रमा कर रहे हैं। मेरे कंधों पर उभरा हुआ तिरंगा मुझे बताता है कि मैं आप सभी के साथ हूँ:ग्रुप कैप्टन #ShubhanshuShukla pic.twitter.com/UIQHZYnT8G

— SansadTV (@sansad_tv) June 25, 2025

Amidst applause from watch parties held worldwide including at Shubhanshu Shukla City Montessori School in Lucknow where his parents witnessed the historic launch of the much-delayed Axiom-4 mission launched from the Kennedy Space Center in Florida the United States toward the ISS. 

Asha Shukla Shubhanshu Shukla’s mother was seen crying as she applauded her son’s space launch. We are unable to put this into words she said. We have no fear [for Shubhanshu Shukla]. We are ecstatic and extremely pleased.

Shubhanshu Shukla’s Family Rejoices as the Axiom-4 mission Takes Off for the International Space Station

In a commercial mission by Axiom Space, Indian astronaut Shubhanshu Shukla made history on Wednesday by traveling to the International Space Station (ISS) with three other people. 

Watch parties around the world including at Shukla’s City Montessori School in Lucknow where his parents witnessed the historic launch cheered as the much-delayed Axiom-4 mission took off from the Kennedy Space Center in Florida at 12:01 pm IST towards the ISS. 

Shukla who was born in Lucknow Slawosz Uznanski-Wisniewski of Poland Tibor Kapu of Hungary and former NASA astronaut Mission Commander Peggy Whitson are all joining the Axiom-4 mission which is the three countries first time going into space together.

Axiom-4 Mission Launch Video 

Falcon 9 launches Ax-4, Dragon’s 18th human spaceflight mission pic.twitter.com/gVnDUJFrvH

— SpaceX (@SpaceX) June 25, 2025

The launch of the Axiom-4 mission is celebrated with sweets shared by South Australian Governor Frances Adamson Australian High Commissioner to India Philip Green and Union Minister Dr. Jitendra Singh. 

What Shubhanshu Shukla Said is as Follows?

“Namaskar my dear countrymen! What a ride! We are back in space again after 41 years” said Group Captain Shubhanshu Shukla. It’s an incredible journey. The speed at which we are orbiting the planet is 7.5 kilometers per second. All of you are with me as indicated by the Tiranga that is engraved on my shoulders. My journey is not a prelude to India’s Human Space Program but rather to the International Space Station (ISS). I want you all to join me on this journey. Pride should also fill your chest. Let’s start India’s Human Space Program together. Jai Hind! Jai Bharat!

I am Thrilled to be here Namaskar Says Shubhanshu Shukla in Another Message from Space

In yet another message from space on Thursday Indian astronaut Shubhanshu Shukla expressed his excitement at being among other astronauts on the International Space Station (ISS) 24 hours after embarking on a historic journey there. 

Additionally he thanked everyone for their support and said the ride was incredible. 

• From space Namaskar. Shubhanshu Shukla remarked I am so happy to be here with my fellow astronauts. I rode it. I just wanted to go (to the ISS) after being in quarantine for thirty days. The ride was incredible, he remarked. 
• I would like to thank everyone who has contributed to this. This is not an achievement of mine. My friends and family have helped me, the Indian astronaut continued. 
• The swan is a symbol of wisdom in Indian culture according to Shubhanshu Shukla who was holding a soft toy of the same name. 
• I’m taking in the scenery and learning how to eat here, he remarked. 
• “I carried the Indian tricolour on my shoulder during the launch to the International Space Station which reminded me that I am not alone in this journey and that all Indians were a part of it,” Shubhanshu Shukla said. 

Read More : A Bus Plunges into the Alaknanda River in Rudraprayag Uttarakhand Killing 3 People and Injuring 7 More

Shukla’s Second Message from Space

In a video message posted on Wednesday almost an hour after his launch to the space station Shubhanshu Shukla stated that he and the crew were orbiting the Earth at a speed of 7. 5 kilometers per second.

After 41 years of Namaskar my dear compatriots we have arrived in space. It was a great ride Shubhanshu Shukla said 10 minutes into spaceflight. 

India returned to human spaceflight 41 years after the successful launch of the Axiom Space mission in the United States with a four-member multi-country crew with Shubhanshu Shukla’s flight to the International Space Station.

At 12:01 pm (IST) Elon Musk’s SpaceX launch vehicle carrying the Crew Dragon spacecraft on a Falcon-9 rocket took off from the Kennedy Space Center in Florida following several delays. 

Along with mission specialists Tibor Kapu of Hungary and Slawosz Uznanski-Wisniewski of Poland the rocket also carried mission pilot Shukla, a Group Captain in the Indian Air Force (IAF) and former NASA astronaut Commander Peggy Whitson. 

At watch parties in India, Poland, Hungary and the US family members countless well-wishers and space enthusiasts cheered as the rocket shot into the Florida sky from the same location where American astronaut Neil Armstrong, the first person to set foot on the moon departed on the Apollo-11 mission in July 1969. 

We’re now on WhatsApp. Click to join. 

Like this post?
Register at One World News to never miss out on videos, celeb interviews, and best reads.