'Hopes Of 1.4 Billion...': PM Modi On Shubhanshu Shukla As First Indian On ISS

IAF Group Captain Shukla made history as part of a private Axiom Space mission to the ISS, 41 years after Rakesh Sharma's spaceflight.

Launched from Florida, the mission includes a diverse crew.

Source : X/@SpaceX

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Wednesday lauded Shubhanshu Shukla's space odyssey to the International Space Station saying he is carrying hope and aspiration of 1.4 billion Indians. 

"We welcome the successful launch of the Space Mission carrying astronauts from India, Hungary, Poland and the US," he said in a post on X.

"The Indian Astronaut, Group Captain Shubhanshu Shukla is on the way to become the first Indian to go to International Space Station. He carries with him the wishes, hopes and aspirations of 1.4 billion Indians," he added.

Shukla scripted history by embarking on a space odyssey along with three others to the International Space Station as part of a commercial mission by Axiom Space on Wednesday.

President Droupadi Murmu also congratulated Shukla saying he created 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 said. 

The mission, which experienced several delays blasted off from the Kennedy Space Centre in Florida at 12:01 PM IST amid cheers from watch parties organised across the world, including at Lucknow's City Montessori School, where Shukla completed his early education. 

Shukla is part of a private four member crew headed by former American NASA astronaut Mission Commander Peggy Whitson along with Slawosz Uznanski-Wisniewski of Poland, and Tibor Kapu of Hungary. 

The India Air Force Group Captain became the first astronaut to travel to the International Space Station, a feat that comes 41 years after Rakesh Sharma’s eight days in orbit as part of the then Soviet Union's Salyut-7 space station in 1984.

In his first message from space, he greeted the people of India and said the journey is India's beginning for Human Space Programme. 

"Namaskar, my dear countrymen! What a ride! We are back in the space once again after 41 years. It's an amazing ride. We are revolving around the Earth at a speed of 7.5 kilometres per second," he said aboard Space X's Falcon 9.

"The Tiranga embossed on my shoulders tells me that I am with all of you. This journey of mine is not a beginning to the International Space Station (ISS) but to India's Human Space Programme. I want all of you to be part of this journey. Your chest, too, should swell with pride...Together, let's initiate India's Human Space Programme. Jai Hind! Jai Bharat!" he added.