SRK's hit song Yun Hi Chala Chal Rahi from Swades on Shubhanshu Shukla on space lift-off playlist
"We are very proud and emotional," says Shambhu Dayal Shukla, father of Astronaut Group Captain Shubhanshu Shukla as his son became the second Indian to journey into space. Shubhanshu Shukla with other astronauts on Crew Dragon. (Inset) The #Ax4 crew share their launch-day playlist.(X/ISROSpaceflight & X/Axiom_Space)
Shukla launched aboard the SpaceX Falcon 9 spacecraft with the Crew Dragon capsule as part of the Axiom Mission 4 (Ax-4), lifting off from NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Florida.
Adding a personal touch to his historic flight, the Indian Air Force test pilot's playlist during lift-off featured the beloved film song Yun Hi Chala Chal Rahi from the movie Swades, sung by Udit Narayan, Hariharan, and Kailash Kher, with lyrics by Javed Akhtar and music by AR Rahman.
SpaceX shared this unique detail on X, alongside the playlists of other crew members: Mission Commander Peggy Whitson's Thunder by Imagine Dragons, Sławosz Uznański's Supermoce, and Tibor Kapu's Búvóhely. Group Captain Shubhanshu Shukla's parents at City Montessori School, Lucknow(Photo: HT)
Back in his hometown, City Montessori School in Lucknow became the focal point of local celebrations. Shukla's parents, Shambhu Dayal Shukla and Asha Shukla, alongside his sisters Nidhi and Suchi Shukla, joined a large gathering of students for a live telecast of the launch.
The school hosted 'Vyomotsav', a watch-party that transformed the campus into a vibrant 'mini space centre', paying tribute to its illustrious alumnus. Shukla has done his schooling till Class XII from its Aliganj branch.
Prof Geeta Gandhi Kingdon, school's president and manager said, 'From a curious young learner in our classrooms to a pioneering astronaut, Shux's story beautifully encapsulates our school's mission of 'Education for World Unity and Peace'.' School's founder-director Bharti Gandhi was also present on the occasion. Vyomotsav underway at City Montessori School(Photo: HT)
Cheers erupted as the rocket ascended, followed by dancing and heartfelt congratulations, marking a proud moment for the city.
The evening featured a live AXIOM mission broadcast, a replica of the ISS Cupola module, a 'Defy Gravity' photo booth, telescope viewings, and a simulated Mission Control Centre—making it part celebration, part science festival.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Time of India
31 minutes ago
- Time of India
Skyroot Aerospace, Axiom Space team up to advance space exploration
HYDERABAD: On a day Axiom-4 (Ax-4) mission finally launched, carrying Group Captain Shubhanshu Shukla and three other astronauts to space, Hyderabad-based Skyroot Aerospace and US-based Axiom Space said they have signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) to collaborate on advancing space exploration, particularly enhancing access to low earth orbit (LEO). Axiom Space will explore utilising Skyroot's capabilities for sending groundbreaking research payloads, orbital data center nodes, and other future missions to its under-construction Axiom Station as well as independently to LEO, the two players said in a joint statement. The two companies will collaborate to cater to not just the Indian market but also international markets. Skyroot Aerospace, which was the first private player in South Asia to successfully send a rocket to space with Vikram-S sub-orbital launch vehicle in November 2022, is gearing up to send its first orbital rocket – Vikram-1 -- into space later this year. On Wednesday, Axiom Space launched Ax-4, marking India's second shot at human spaceflight and the country's first mission on board the International Space Station (ISS). The mission is also being seen as foundational for the construction and operation of its Axiom Station as the company tries to develop a diverse global supply chain through partnerships with companies like Skyroot Aerospace. 'Enabling greater and equitable access to space, be it for research institutes, startups, or national agencies, is the guiding mantra at Skyroot,' said Pawan Kumar Chandana, co-founder and CEO, Skyroot Aerospace. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Giao dịch vàng CFDs với sàn môi giới tin cậy IC Markets Tìm hiểu thêm Undo 'As we begin realizing 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,' Chandana added. Axiom Space CEO Tejpaul Bhatia said: 'Since the day I visited Skyroot's facility two years ago, I knew our companies had to work together to define humanity's future in space. With our shared vision to transform access to space, we look forward to collaborating with Skyroot to serve the growing space ecosystem in India and globally.'
India Today
44 minutes ago
- India Today
Shubhanshu Shukla heads to space. Check Axiom-4 docking time in India
SpaceX, in partnership with Axiom Space and NASA, successfully launched the Axiom Mission 4 (Ax-4) to the International Space Station (ISS) on June 25, 2025, marking a historic milestone in commercial spaceflight and international mission lifted off at 2:31 a.m. Eastern Daylight Time (EDT) from Launch Complex 39A at NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Florida, using a Falcon 9 rocket to propel a brand-new Dragon spacecraft named 'Grace' into TIME IN INDIAThe Ax-4 Dragon capsule is scheduled to dock at approximately 7:00 a.m. EDT (4:30 p.m. IST) on June 26, 2025, after a roughly 28-hour journey through space. During their two-week stay aboard, the Ax-4 crew will conduct over 60 scientific experiments and educational outreach activities, making this the most science-intensive private mission organised by Axiom Space so research is designed to leverage the unique microgravity environment of the orbital laboratory and will contribute to advancements in science, technology, and international STEM education. The docking event will be streamed launch is particularly notable as it carries astronauts from India, Hungary, and Poland, a significant achievement and a testament to the expanding global reach of human space by veteran astronaut Peggy Whitson, who already holds the U.S. record for most cumulative days in space, the Ax-4 crew also includes Shubhanshu Shukla from India, Sawosz Uznaski-Winiewski from Poland, and Tibor Kapu from mission had faced several delays due to technical and safety concerns, including unfavorable weather, a leak in the Falcon 9 rocket, and, most recently, a pressure anomaly in the Russian-built Zvezda service thorough evaluations and safety checks by NASA and Roscosmos, the launch was cleared to proceed, highlighting the importance of international collaboration in ensuring crew safety and mission success.- EndsMust Watch
The Hindu
an hour ago
- The Hindu
Lucknow cheers city boy; proud moment for all, say parents
Amid cheers and shrieks of joy, the crowd at the City Montessori School in Lucknow, the alma mater of Group Captain Shubhanshu Shukla, watched him lift off into space from the Kennedy Space Centre (KSC) in Florida on Wednesday (June 25, 2025). As the rocket carrying the Lucknow boy and three others pierced through the Florida skies, Group Captain Shukla became only the second Indian astronaut to undertake a space flight, 41 years after another space icon, Rakesh Sharma. At the school on Kanpur Road, the students were joined by the parents of the experienced Indian Air Force test pilot in watching the live broadcast of the Axiom-4 mission. Group Captain Shukla's parents became emotional as the mission lifted off sucessfully. 'It is a proud moment for all of us. What more should I say at this moment. My blessings are always there with my son,' his father Shambhu Shukla told the media. 'I have nothing more to say. I am delighted. Everyone is happy and jubilant, my son made all of us proud,' his mother Asha Shukla added. The event was part of the school's 'Vyomotsav', an 'immersive watch-party' that transformed the campus into a vibrant 'mini-space centre'. People across Lucknow too celebrated the local boy's space journey, with people dancing and distributing sweets at the busy Hazratganj intersection. Posters were also put up congratulating him. Congratulating the Lucknow-born astronaut, Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath described the space mission as a wonderful example of India's scientific progress and global cooperation. 'This is a proud moment for India. Hearty congratulations and best wishes to Axiom Mission 4's Mission Pilot Group Captain Shubhanshu Shukla on this historic achievement. Under Prime Minister Narendra Modi's visionary leadership, India's participation in this international space mission shows our commitment to scientific progress and global cooperation. Best wishes for the upcoming mission. Jai Hind,' wrote the CM, on X.
