New Delhi : Group Captain Shubhanshu Shukla, India’s mission pilot for the Axiom-4 mission to the International Space Station (ISS), has shared his extraordinary journey aboard the Crew Dragon atop SpaceX’s Falcon 9 rocket. The mission marked a significant milestone for India’s space ambitions, contributing valuable data for upcoming projects like #Gaganyaan and the Bharatiya Antariksh Station (BAS).
The Axiom-4 mission featured a Crew Dragon capsule with four seats, and Shukla worked closely with the commander to operate onboard systems. During the two-week mission, the crew performed experiments designed by Indian researchers, conducted STEM demonstrations, and captured extensive photos and videos of Earth from space.
“No matter how much training you do, sitting in the rocket and feeling the engines ignite is an entirely different experience. The body goes through so many changes,” said Shukla.
He recalled the surreal feeling of launch:
“I was actually running behind the rocket for the first few seconds before I could catch up. It’s very different from what you learn on the ground.”
Shukla emphasized that the knowledge gained during Axiom-4 will be critical for India’s homegrown space missions.
“Very soon, we will see someone travelling from our capsule, our rocket, and from our soil. If I can reach space, you can too. Dream, believe, and move forward—mission by mission,” he said.
He described the view of Earth from orbit as breathtaking:
“Bharat aaj bhi Antariksh se saare jahaan se achha dikhta hai. Jai Hind, Jai Bharat!”
The Axiom-4 mission reinforces India’s growing presence in human spaceflight and sets the stage for future Gaganyaan missions and the ambitious Bharatiya Antariksh Station, inspiring the next generation of Indian astronauts and scientists.
