“What a ride! We are back in space after 41 years,” says Axiom-4 pilot Shubhanshu Shukla in heartfelt message

In a stirring message from space, Indian Air Force Group Captain Shubhanshu Shukla, currently serving as the pilot of the Axiom-4 Mission, shared his exhilaration and national pride moments after reaching orbit. Speaking to the nation from aboard the SpaceX Dragon spacecraft, Shukla said:

“Namaskar, my dear countrymen! What a ride! We are back in 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. The Tiranga embossed on my shoulders tells me that I am with all of you.”

Shukla emphasised that this is not just a personal milestone, but a symbolic leap for the country’s ambitious space goals:

“This journey of mine is not just to the International Space Station, but to launch 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!”