President Droupadi Murmu on Wednesday congratulated Group Captain Shubhanshu Shukla and extended her best wishes for the success of the Axiom-4 mission, calling it a proud moment for India as the nation marked its return to space after over four decades.
In a heartfelt post on X, President Murmu wrote, “As Group Captain Subhanshu Shukla creates a new milestone in space for India, the whole nation is excited and proud of an Indian’s journey into the stars. He and his fellow astronauts of Axiom Mission 4 from the US, Poland and Hungary prove the world is indeed one family – ‘Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam’.”
She further said the mission reflects the strength of the NASA-ISRO partnership, adding that the scientific experiments planned by the multinational crew will expand the frontiers of space research.
The Axiom Mission 4, which launched aboard a SpaceX Dragon spacecraft from NASA’s Kennedy Space Centre in Florida at 2:31 am ET (12 Noon IST) on Wednesday, marks the fourth private astronaut mission to the International Space Station (ISS).
From aboard the spacecraft, Group Captain Shukla expressed his pride in representing India and said the mission signifies the beginning of the nation’s Human Space Programme. “We are back in space once again after 41 years. This journey of mine is not just towards the ISS, but towards India’s space future. Your chest too should swell with pride,” he said.
Shukla now follows in the footsteps of Wing Commander Rakesh Sharma, the first Indian in space, who flew on Soyuz T-11 in 1984.
The Axiom-4 crew will remain aboard the ISS for up to 14 days, conducting around 60 scientific experiments and outreach activities. Commanded by veteran astronaut Peggy Whitson, the team also includes ESA astronaut Slawosz Uznanski-Wisniewski from Poland and Tibor Kapu from Hungary.
The mission showcases international cooperation and technological advancement in human spaceflight, with India’s ISRO playing a key role in scientific collaboration.
As India reenters human space exploration after decades, President Murmu’s words echo the sentiments of a nation watching its tricolour rise once again—this time, among the stars.