India sends its first astronaut into space in 41 years
India Celebrates Historic Space Mission: Group Captain Shubhanshu Shukla Makes History
Jubilant scenes across India as Group Captain Shubhanshu Shukla successfully launched into space aboard the Ax-4 mission — becoming the second Indian in space, and the first to reach NASA’s International Space Station (ISS).
The Ax-4 mission, a collaboration between NASA, ISRO, ESA, SpaceX, and Axiom Space, lifted off from NASA’s Kennedy Space Center with a four-member crew from India, Poland, and Hungary. The mission is led by veteran astronaut Peggy Whitson.
Shukla, 39, an Indian Air Force pilot with over 2,000 hours of flight experience, was one of four officers selected for India’s first human spaceflight mission in 2027. ISRO paid ₹5 billion for his seat and training on this mission.
Shortly after launch, Shukla proudly said:
> “We’re back in space after 41 years... I carry the Indian flag on my shoulder and the hopes of 1.4 billion people.”
His parents, watching from Lucknow with hundreds of students, were moved to tears and applause. Prime Minister Modi praised the mission, calling it the pride of the nation.
Shukla’s historic flight marks a giant leap for India’s space ambitions — aiming for a space station by 2035 and a Moon mission by 2040.