Group Captain Shubhanshu Shukla has made history as the first Indian astronaut to step aboard the International Space Station (ISS), marking a monumental milestone for India’s space ambitions. His arrival symbolizes India’s initial step toward a broader space journey and highlights the nation’s growing role in international space exploration.
In his first message from the ISS, Shukla expressed immense pride and excitement. He shared that while the experience might seem easy, the sensation of weightlessness makes the head feel a little heavy, but he expects to get used to it soon. Shukla emphasized the importance of the next 14 days, during which he and his crew will conduct several scientific experiments. Wearing India’s flag on his shoulders, he conveyed his deep sense of honor and thanked his fellow Indians for their love and blessings that helped him reach this historic milestone.
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Upon arrival, Shukla was warmly welcomed by the Expedition 73 crew onboard the ISS. He described the reception as heartwarming, saying the crew made him feel as if they had opened their house doors to him. The breathtaking view and the camaraderie aboard the ISS exceeded all his expectations. Shukla expressed confidence that the upcoming two weeks would be an incredible period for advancing science and research collaboratively.
Shukla is part of the Axiom Mission 4 (Ax-4), which launched on June 25, 2025, from NASA’s Kennedy Space Center in Florida aboard a SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket. The mission crew includes mission commander Peggy Whitson, Polish astronaut Sławosz Uznański-Wiśniewski from ESA, and Hungarian researcher Tibor Kapu. This mission not only represents a significant achievement for Shukla personally but also for India, showcasing its commitment to scientific progress and international cooperation in space exploration.
