In a historic moment for India’s space ambitions, Group Captain Shubhanshu Shukla of the Indian Air Force sent his first message from space aboard the SpaceX Dragon spacecraft, sharing his early experiences of life in orbit just hours before the scheduled docking with the International Space Station (ISS).
"Hello everyone, Namaskar from space," Shukla said in a live stream hosted by SpaceX. "Since yesterday, I've been told that I'm sleeping a lot, which is a good sign. I'm getting used to this quite well, enjoying the views, enjoying the entire experience. Learning like a baby... how to walk and eat in space…. It's good to make mistakes, but it is better to see someone else do that too."
He described the journey to orbit as "amazing," adding that he was thrilled to be in space with his fellow crew members. Shukla, who serves as the pilot on the Axiom Mission 4 (Ax-4), is part of a four-member international team that launched from NASA’s Kennedy Space Center. The spacecraft is scheduled to dock with the ISS’s Harmony module around 4:30 PM IST today.
Reflecting on the significance of the mission, Shukla called it a meaningful step forward for India's ambitions in space exploration. "This is a small step, but steady and solid step towards India's human space programme," he said.
During the Ax-4 crew’s first in-flight update, Shukla elaborated on his emotional journey leading up to launch. "Honestly, as I sat in the capsule 'Grace' on the launchpad yesterday after 30 days of quarantine, all I could think was: just go. When the launch finally happened, it was something else entirely. You're pushed back into the seat--and then suddenly, there's silence. You're just floating in the vacuum, and it's absolutely magical."
He expressed gratitude to the mission team and dedicated the achievement to collective efforts. "I truly appreciate the efforts of each and every individual who made this journey possible. It's not just a personal accomplishment--it belongs to all of us," Shukla said.
Notably, the Indian pilot also reflected on the symbolism of the swan mascot aboard Dragon. "This swan symbolises wisdom and grace. It may seem like a coincidence, but to me, it carries deeper meaning--of serenity, strength and purpose."
Fellow Ax-4 crew members also shared their thoughts. Mission Specialist Slawosz Uznanski-Wisniewski said, "We had so much fun, so much joy. Every time I look at our mascot 'Joy,' I think about the future and how far we've come." Mission Specialist Tibor Kapu remarked on the global representation of the team, stating, "The four of us represent a significant part of the planet--three continents and four countries, including India, the United States, and the European Union. Together, we stand for about 20-30% of the world's population. When we look out of the window, we see all of you. We are proud to represent you in space."
Astronaut Peggy Whitson added, "It's been a fantastic experience so far. We have so many people cheering for us down on Earth, and we're excited for the mission ahead."
Once docked, the Ax-4 crew will be welcomed by the seven-member Expedition 73 team aboard the ISS and will undergo a safety briefing. The mission holds added significance as it marks India’s return to space after 41 years, following Wing Commander Rakesh Sharma’s journey aboard Soyuz T-11 in 1984.
From orbit, Shukla delivered a heartfelt message to the nation:
"Namaskar, my dear countrymen, what a ride. We are back in space after 41 years. We are orbiting the Earth at a speed of 7.5 kilometres per second. The Tiranga on my shoulder reminds me that I am with all of you. This journey isn't just about reaching the International Space Station--it's about kickstarting India's Human Space Programme. I invite all of you to be part of this mission. Let your hearts swell with pride. Jai Hind! Jai Bharat!"
The Ax-4 crew is set to stay aboard the ISS for up to 14 days, participating in scientific research, outreach programmes, and commercial initiatives. Notably, experiments aboard this mission are being conducted in collaboration with NASA and ISRO, focusing on muscle regeneration, microalgae growth, aquatic microbe survival, and human-machine interaction in microgravity.
This is Axiom Space’s fourth private astronaut mission and its most research-intensive so far. The company's first mission, Ax-1, took place in April 2022 and lasted 17 days.
