‘Wonderful ride… expectations surpassed': Shubhanshu Shukla, Astronaut No 634's, first words aboard International Space Station
Indian astronaut Shubhanshu Shukla floated into the International Space Station on Thursday evening (India time) after the Dragon spacecraft carrying him and three other astronauts succesfully docked with the ISS. Shukla, who will spend the next 14 days conducting various experiments and leading several outreach initiatives, said the journey to the space laboratory was a 'wonderful ride'.
He said it was a 'privelege to be among the few who have got a chance to see the earth from a vantage point' and that his expectations about space travel were surpassed by the view and the hospitality of the crew already aboard the ISS. 'I am very confident that the next 14 days are going to be amazing doing — as you said — advancing science and research and working together. Thank you so much,' he said.
Mission Commander Peggy Whitson also gave him his pin, designating him astronaut number 634.
Before he spoke, Whitson, a veteran on her fifth space flight, spoke about the unique experience of leading a mission of rookies. 'The best part about being a commander on a mission with all rookies is you get to watch the rookies go through it for the first time. It helps you remember some of the things you went through the first time and it is also special to get to relive the experience through these guys.'
Here's what Shubhanshu Shukla's first words were aboard the International Space Station.
'Thank you Peggy (Whitson, the mission commander). I am number [Astronaut Number] 634, that's a privelege (laughs). But, to be fair, it is a privelege to be among the few who have got a chance to see the earth from a vantage point that I have been able to see now.
'It has been a wonderful ride. It has been great. I was looking forward to come to space. It is something to look forward to. But the minute I entered the International Space Station… this crew (points at the Expedition-73 crew already aboard the ISS) made me feel so welcome. You literally opened the doors to your house for us. It was fantastic. I feel even better.
'Whatever expectations I had before coming here were surpassed by the view, of course — that's a big part of it — but you guys as well. So, thank you so much.
'This was fantastic. This was wonderful and I am very confident that the next 14 days are going to be amazing doing — as you said — advancing science and research and working together. Thank you so much.'
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
News18
29 minutes ago
- News18
Indian Astronaut Subhanshu Shukla Successfully Docks At The ISS Axiom 4 Mission News
Indian Astronaut Subhanshu Shukla Successfully Docks At The ISS | Axiom 4 Mission News | News18 Last Updated: India Videos Axiom Mission 4 (Ax-4), carrying India's Shubhanshu Shukla along with three other private astronauts from Poland, the United States and Hungary, has been successfully docked at the International Space Station (ISS). n18oc_india News18 Mobile App -
Economic Times
34 minutes ago
- Economic Times
Axiom Space, Skyroot Aerospace ink MoU for space exploration, access to low-earth orbit
Fresh from the success of group captain Shubhanshu Shukla's spaceflight to the International Space Station (ISS) as part of the Axiom-4 (Ax-4) mission's commercial spaceflight, Axiom Space signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with Hyderabad-based Skyroot Aerospace to explore collaboration opportunities to advance space exploration and access to low-earth orbit (LEO). The Houston-based company, which launched its fourth private mission to the ISS on June 25, will explore utilising Skyroot's capabilities for research payloads, orbital data centre nodes, and other missions to Axiom Station and independently in LEO. 'Together, the two organisations are excited to collaborate in serving India and international markets,' they said in a joint statement. While Axiom plans to construct and operationalise its own Axiom Station LEO, the company is looking to develop a global supply chain and partner with startups. Skyroot is the first Indian startup to launch a rocket into space and has partnered with the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO). After launching its Vikram-S rocket, the startup is preparing to launch the Vikram-1 rocket, its maiden orbital-class launch vehicle. 'As we begin realising this vision with the upcoming maiden launch of Vikram-1, the partnership with Axiom Space builds an opportunity to explore integrated launch and orbital solutions that will shape humanity's future in space,' said Pawan Kumar Chandana, cofounder of Bhatia, CEO of Axiom Space, said that since the day he visited Skyroot's facility two years ago, he knew the two companies had to work together to define humanity's future in space. 'This collaboration further reinforces the growing cooperation between Axiom Space and the Indian space sector,' Axiom said in a statement.
Mint
44 minutes ago
- Mint
'With your love…': Shubhanshu Shukla shares message for 'beloved Indians' from International Space Station
Indian astronaut Group Captain Shubhanshu Shukla has entered the International Space Station (ISS) as part of the Axiom-4 mission, marking a historic milestone in his space journey. Upon his arrival, Shukla shared his excitement and gratitude in a heartfelt message from orbit. 'It has been a wonderful ride, it has been great, and I was looking forward to coming to space,' Shukla said. 'You know, it is something to look forward to, but the minute I entered the International Space Station and met this crew, you just made me feel so welcome, as if you literally opened your doors, like your house doors, for us.' Shukla praised the crew aboard the ISS for their hospitality, stating that his expectations had already been exceeded. 'It was fantastic. I just feel even better now. Whatever expectations I had of coming here were surpassed — by the view, of course, that's a big part of it — but also by you guys. So thank you so much,' he said. He also expressed optimism about the days ahead on the space station. 'I think this is fantastic, this is wonderful, and I'm very confident that the next 14 days are going to be amazing — advancing science and research, and working together,' he added. Speaking in Hindi, Shukla also expressed gratitude and pride as he addressed the nation from space. 'A small message for my beloved fellow Indians — with your love and blessings, I have reached the International Space Station,' he said. 'It might seem easy, but our heads feel a little heavy, though none of that matters. We'll get used to it in a few days.' Shukla and his team launched into space aboard SpaceX's Dragon spacecraft, propelled by a Falcon 9 rocket, from NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Florida on Wednesday. The crew is set to spend 14 days aboard the International Space Station, where they will carry out scientific experiments in a microgravity environment. This mission marks a historic milestone, as Shukla becomes only the second Indian to journey into space after Rakesh Sharma, and the first to reach the ISS in nearly four decades. Sharma had spent eight days in orbit aboard the Soviet Union's Salyut-7 space station back in 1984.
