India’s First Astronaut on the ISS Shares His Space Experience
Group Captain Shubhanshu Shukla made history this week by becoming the first Indian astronaut to reach the International Space Station (ISS) in 41 years, since Rakesh Sharma’s historic 1984 mission. In a touching conversation from orbit, Prime Minister Narendra Modi told Shukla, “You are farthest from the motherland, but closest to Indian hearts.”
The astronaut responded with equal emotion: “This is not just my journey. It belongs to 1.4 billion Indians.” During the conversation, Shukla described life on the ISS and the view of the Earth—where no borders are visible, only the unity of humanity.
Shubhanshu Shukla: India’s Latest Space Pioneer
Shukla is part of the Axiom-4 mission, which launched aboard SpaceX’s Falcon 9 rocket on June 26. He joins an international crew led by veteran NASA astronaut Peggy Whitson. The four-member team—representing India, Hungary, Poland, and the USA—docked with the ISS after a 28-hour orbital journey in the Crew Dragon capsule “Grace.”
During his live call with PM Modi, Shukla revealed the surreal aspect of space living: “We see 16 sunrises and 16 sunsets every day. I was just flying over Hawaii moments ago.” He also shared his initial feelings after reaching space: “From this altitude, Earth looks united—no nations, no borders, just one world.”
Zero Gravity Living: Learning to Sleep, Eat, and Move
Describing his experience aboard the space station, Shukla said that even after a year of training, everything changes once in orbit. “There’s no gravity. You float, sleep is difficult, and everything feels new,” he shared. According to mission updates, he sleeps inside the Dragon capsule due to crew capacity constraints.
Shukla carried the Indian national flag (Tiranga) with him and said, “I’m taking every Indian along with me in spirit.” The 14-day mission will include scientific experiments and public outreach.
Historic Impact: What This Means for India’s Space Ambitions
This milestone puts India back on the global space exploration map. With ISRO planning its own manned mission, Gaganyaan, Shukla’s ISS mission serves as a stepping stone for India’s future in human spaceflight.
Prime Minister Modi remarked that Shukla’s mission “marks the beginning of a new era.” This mission aligns with India’s aspirations to send astronauts on domestically launched crewed missions by 2027.
Who Are the Other Astronauts on Axiom-4?
The Axiom-4 crew includes:
- Peggy Whitson (Commander): Veteran NASA astronaut with over 600 days in space.
- Sławosz Uznański: Polish engineer and ESA astronaut.
- Tibor Kapu: Hungarian mechanical engineer and mission specialist.
As the international crew docked, they were warmly welcomed by Expedition 73 members. The mission was streamed live by NASA.
Conclusion: A Message of Unity From Space
As Shubhanshu Shukla continues his journey aboard the ISS, his words are resonating across the globe: “No country, no state… Earth is one home for all of humanity.” His message, captured from 400 km above Earth, reminds us of the possibilities of unity and exploration. Over the next two weeks, the Axiom-4 mission will not only contribute to science but also inspire the next generation of explorers in India and beyond.
📌 Related Reading
- PM Modi’s full call transcript with Shukla (Economic Times)
- Shubhanshu Shukla’s Wikipedia profile
- Gaganyaan: India’s Upcoming Crewed Mission
