Historic Lift-Off: Shubhanshu Shukla Becomes First Indian to Head to ISS, PM Modi Hails 'Proud Moment for 1.4 Billion Indians'

India has marked a significant milestone in its space journey as Group Captain Shubhanshu Shukla becomes the first Indian astronaut to travel to the International Space Station (ISS). He is part of the Axiom-4 mission, which successfully launched with astronauts from India, Hungary, Poland, and the United States.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi took to social media platform X to extend his congratulations, saying:

"We welcome the successful launch of the Space Mission carrying astronauts from India, Hungary, Poland, and the US. The Indian Astronaut, Group Captain Shubhanshu Shukla, is on the way to become the first Indian to go to the International Space Station. He carries with him the wishes, hopes, and aspirations of 1.4 billion Indians."

Who's on the Axiom-4 Mission?

The crew aboard the mission includes:

• Shubhanshu Shukla (India) – Representing ISRO

• Peggy Whitson (USA) – Former NASA astronaut and mission commander

• Tibor Kapu (Hungary)

• Slavoj Ujnanski-Wisniewski (Poland) – ESA astronaut

The crew will spend 14 days aboard the ISS conducting scientific experiments, including research in microgravity and early-stage commercial space station development, a field India aims to explore in the near future.

Why This Mission Matters for India

Shukla’s journey to the ISS is a first for the country and comes at a time when India is expanding its space ambitions. The mission is expected to:

• Enhance India's capabilities in human spaceflight

• Contribute to global research in space medicine and technology

• Lay groundwork for India’s future plans to set up a commercial space station

A Proud Moment for Family and Nation

Speaking emotionally, Shukla’s mother expressed her joy:

“This is a very proud moment for us, and especially for the school that educated him. We are not scared—we are very proud and happy.”

As Shubhanshu Shukla travels to space with the dreams of over a billion Indians, his mission marks a new era in India's space legacy—one that aims for not just the Moon or Mars, but now the stars beyond Earth’s orbit.