India’s Group Captain Shubhanshu Shukla created history on Thursday when he became the first Indian astronaut to reach the International Space Station (ISS). After a exciting journey of 28 hours under the Axiom-4 (AX-4) mission from NASA’s Florida’s Kennedy Space Center, his team successfully docked the hormony module of the space station.
With this, India has returned to human space flight after 41 years. Earlier in 1984, Wing Commander Rakesh Sharma achieved this feat.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi also congratulated Shubhanshu and the entire AX-4 team on this success and described it as a symbol of India’s growing international space stature.
To see this historical moment, live docking was done live in the school of Shubhanshu Shukla in Lucknow. During this, many relatives including Shukla’s parents, teachers were present. The family says that this moment is very special for them and they want Shubhanshu to return safely and share this pride with the family.
As soon as Docking was confirmed in the telecast, Shubhmanshu’s mother Asha Shukla became emotional and tears spilled from her eyes. Shukla’s mother said emotionally, “The biggest thing is that he took everyone along, with full responsibility. Now just waiting for him to return soon.”
Shubhanshu’s sister also shared emotions and said, “Today our brother has not only illuminated the name of the country, but has also raised the head of the mother with pride. We cannot say in words how happy and pride we feel.”
Proud of son for this success: Shukla’s father
At the same time, his father said emotionally, “This is a moment of pride for us. We thank all for prayers and support. We are very happy. Successful docking has been done. We thank God. It was a very important stage. The way he has succeeded by working hard, our son is proud since the beginning. Our son has been fast since the beginning. This school has taught him a lot. Is.”
He further said that when the son used to go away in the Air Force, at least lived on the earth. Now it is in space. Now you will be able to talk only when it comes from there. He has been left to drink food since 2019. He is not worried. He manages all. Our message for the child is to do our work with full confidence. Then came and met us.
In Shukla’s school, children and teachers watched live telecast with enthusiasm on this occasion. A school student said, “We are all proud that someone from our city has reached space. Now we can also dream.”
“Hello from space”: Shubhanshu’s message from space
Shubhanshu Shukla, who is playing the role of a pilot in the mission, said in his message sent from space, “Hello, my dear countrymen, what a ride … After 41 years we have reached the space. And there was a wonderful ride. At this time we are wandering around the earth at a speed of 7.5 kilometers per second. I am with you all. “
Shubhanshu Shukla said from inside the spacecraft that this is not the beginning of the journey up to my International Space Station, this is the beginning of India’s Human Space Program. And I want all the countrymen to be a part of this journey. Your chest should also be proud. You should also show the same excitement. Let us all start this human space journey of India together. Thank you, Jai Hind, Jai Bharat.
The AX-4 mission also includes Shubhanshu with experienced astronaut Paigi Whites (Commander), Savos Ujnansky of Poland and Tibor Kapu of Hungary. This is the first time astronauts from Poland and Hungary have also reached ISS.
The AX-4 team will spend 14 days at the space station and will carry out more than 60 scientific experiments and educational activities, including cancer research, DNA repair and advanced experiments related to advanced construction techniques.