UP: Family members of Axiom Mission 4 pilot Shubhanshu Shukla meet CM Yogi in Lucknow
LUCKNOW: The family members of Axiom Mission 4 (Ax-4) pilot and Indian Air Force Group Captain
Shubhanshu Shukla
met Uttar Pradesh chief minister Yogi Adityanath in Lucknow on Thursday evening.
Shukla's father Shambhu Dayal Shukla, mother Asha Shukla, sister Shuchi Mishra, and brother met the Chief Minister, who felicitated them and presented them with a token of appreciation in honour of Shukla's selection for the space mission.
Speaking to ANI, Shukla's mother, Asha Shukla, said, "We are delighted. We could meet the Chief Minister today due to our son. He felicitated us. We extend our heartfelt gratitude to him. He appreciated our child and said that he has done so well. We feel very proud. We have a new identity today due to our son."
Axiom-4 pilot and IAF Group Captain Shubhanshu Shukla earlier made history by becoming the 634th human in space and the first Indian to board the International Space Station (ISS), describing the moment as a "privilege."
The Ax-4 crew successfully docked with the ISS following a 28-hour journey aboard the SpaceX Dragon spacecraft.
"I am no 634, that's a privilege," said Shukla shortly after receiving his astronaut pin from Ax-4 mission commander Peggy Whitson. "To be fair, it is a privilege to be amongst the few who have got the chance to see the Earth from a vantage point that I have been able to see now. It has been a wonderful ride. I was looking forward to coming to space--it is something to look forward to.
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But the moment I entered the ISS, I felt welcomed.
You guys literally opened up your doors like your house doors for us, that was fantastic. The expectations I had were surpassed, so thank you so much; this was fantastic. I am confident the next 14 days are going to be amazing doing science and research," he said.
In a message to Indians back home, Shukla said, "It is because of your love and blessings that I have safely reached the International Space Station.
It may look easy to stand here, but it is not; my head is aching. However, we will get used to it. We will be here for 14 days, conducting scientific experiments and speaking with you. This is a milestone for India. Let's make this journey exciting and let everyone participate with interest.
"
He added, "The Tricolour I bear on my shoulder makes me feel as though the entire country is with me. I believe the next 14 days are going to be truly interesting."
The Ax-4 crew, comprising Commander Peggy Whitson, Pilot Shubhanshu Shukla, Mission Specialist Slawosz Uznanski-Wisniewski of Poland, and Mission Specialist Tibor Kapu of Hungary, entered the ISS at 8:23 a.m. EDT after a smooth docking. Their arrival was marked by a traditional welcome ceremony.
The mission represents a return to human spaceflight for India, Poland, and Hungary, with each nation sending a government-sponsored astronaut to the ISS for the first time in over 40 years.
This is also the first time these countries are conducting a mission aboard the ISS.
As Axiom Space's most research-intensive mission to date, Ax-4 will include over 60 experiments and technology demonstrations. These include studies in biology, muscle regeneration, edible microalgae, digital interface testing, and the survival of aquatic organisms. The research has been jointly developed by
NASA
, the Indian Space Research Organisation (
ISRO
), and Axiom Space.
The crew launched from NASA's Kennedy Space Centre in Florida aboard a Falcon 9 rocket at 3:21 am ET on Wednesday, June 25. The mission is expected to last for up to 14 days.
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Indian Express
30 minutes ago
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‘Learning like a baby, new steps, how to eat': Shubhanshu Shukla, first Indian on board the ISS
With open arms, a beaming Shubhanshu Shukla glided into the International Space Station Thursday evening India time, transferring himself from the Dragon spacecraft that brought him and three others from Earth after a 28-hour journey through space. Group Captain Shukla, the pilot of the Dragon spacecraft, is the first Indian on board the ISS. He was the second to enter the station, after mission commander Peggy Whitson of the US, shortly after 5.45 pm. The Dragon had connected with the ISS, a permanent research laboratory in space, 105 minutes earlier in a smooth docking manoeuvre. At the time of docking, both the ISS and the spacecraft were travelling at speeds of nearly 26,500 km an hour. The incoming astronauts — Whitson, Shukla, Slawosz Uznanski-Wisniewski of Poland and Tibor Kapu of Hungary — were welcomed with hugs by the astronauts already stationed there. The ISS was already home to seven astronauts, members of the 73rd expedition to the station that began on April 19 and will continue until November. With the addition of four astronauts from the Axiom-4 mission, who will stay there for two weeks, ISS is now hosting 11 people. Operational since 1998, the ISS is comparable to a six-bedroom US apartment in size and can comfortably accommodate a dozen astronauts simultaneously. Shukla and the other incoming astronauts were offered a liquid diet to refresh themselves as they chatted with the existing residents and moved around in the facility. For Whitson, a veteran of space travel, this is the fifth trip to the ISS. Shortly thereafter, Shukla was presented with the astronaut number 634 by Whitson — he is the 634th individual who has travelled to space. 'It's a privilege. It's a privilege to be amongst the few who have got the chance to see the Earth from a vantage point,' Shukla said. 'It has been a wonderful ride. It has been great. I was looking forward to coming to space. It is something to look forward to,' he said. As the pilot of the mission, Shukla was given a number ahead of Uznanski-Wisniewski and Kapu. Whitson already has a number, 419. 'The best part about being commander with all rookies is that you get to watch the rookies go through it for the first time. And it helps you remember some of the things you went through the first time. It's very special to relive the experience through these guys,' Whitson, whose first space trip was in 2002, said. Shukla said he was overwhelmed by the welcome received from those on board the ISS. 'The minute I entered the International Space Station, you guys (members of the 73rd expedition) made us feel so welcome… you literally opened your doors for us. It was fantastic. I feel even better… Whatever expectations I had about coming here have been surpassed, by the view, of course that's a big part of it, but by you guys as well. Thank you so much,' he said. The Axiom-4 mission had launched from the Kennedy Space Center in Cape Canaveral, Florida Wednesday noon India time, and took 28 hours to reach the destination. 'Frankly, when I was sitting in the capsule yesterday on the launch pad, my only thought was 'let's just go after 30 days of quarantine'. There was a feeling that I just wanted to go. The excitement was far away… But when the ride started, it was something. You getting pushed back into the seat… it was an amazing ride. And, then suddenly nothing. Everything is silenced. You were just floating in the silence of vacuum. It was an amazing feeling,' Shukla said during an interaction earlier in the day as the spacecraft made its way to the ISS. 'I was not feeling very great when we got shot into the vacuum. But since yesterday, I have been told that I have been sleeping a lot… I think that's a great sign. I am getting used to this quite well, enjoying the views, enjoying the entire experience, learning like a baby… learning the new steps, learning how to walk, learning how to control yourself, everything, learning how to eat,' he said. The Dragon spacecraft carrying the astronauts came in contact with the docking port of the Harmony module of the ISS for a 'soft capture' around 4 pm India time. Then, 12 hooks closed in on the spacecraft to complete the lock, or 'hard capture', followed by checks on umbilicals for power and communication, after which the hatch opening procedure was initiated. The entire process took more than one and half hours. Shukla and his crew mates will spend 14 days on the ISS, conducting nearly 60 experiments, representing 31 countries. India has sent seven experiments on board the mission, including edible microalgae, oxygen-producing cyanobacteria, and crop seeds among others. Shukla will also connect with students, academia, as well as representatives of India's growing space industry from the space station. Soon after the docking, Union Minister of State for Space Dr Jitendra Singh, in a post on X, said, 'Congratulations Axiom4! Docking accomplished. Shubhanshu stands at the threshold entrance of the International Space Station … waiting to step in for a 14-day sojourn… as the world watches with excitement and expectation.' Anonna Dutt is a Principal Correspondent who writes primarily on health at the Indian Express. She reports on myriad topics ranging from the growing burden of non-communicable diseases such as diabetes and hypertension to the problems with pervasive infectious conditions. She reported on the government's management of the Covid-19 pandemic and closely followed the vaccination programme. Her stories have resulted in the city government investing in high-end tests for the poor and acknowledging errors in their official reports. Dutt also takes a keen interest in the country's space programme and has written on key missions like Chandrayaan 2 and 3, Aditya L1, and Gaganyaan. She was among the first batch of eleven media fellows with RBM Partnership to End Malaria. She was also selected to participate in the short-term programme on early childhood reporting at Columbia University's Dart Centre. Dutt has a Bachelor's Degree from the Symbiosis Institute of Media and Communication, Pune and a PG Diploma from the Asian College of Journalism, Chennai. She started her reporting career with the Hindustan Times. When not at work, she tries to appease the Duolingo owl with her French skills and sometimes takes to the dance floor. ... Read More
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India Gazette
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UP: Family members of Axiom Mission 4 pilot Shubhanshu Shukla meet CM Yogi in Lucknow
Lucknow (Uttar Pradesh) [India], June 26 (ANI): The family members of Axiom Mission 4 (Ax-4) pilot and Indian Air Force Group Captain Shubhanshu Shukla met Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath in Lucknow on Thursday evening. Shukla's father Shambhu Dayal Shukla, mother Asha Shukla, sister Shuchi Mishra, and brother met the Chief Minister, who felicitated them and presented them with a token of appreciation in honour of Shukla's selection for the space mission. Speaking to ANI, Shukla's mother, Asha Shukla, said, 'We are delighted. We could meet the Chief Minister today due to our son. He felicitated us. We extend our heartfelt gratitude to him. He appreciated our child and said that he has done so well. We feel very proud. We have a new identity today due to our son.' Axiom-4 pilot and IAF Group Captain Shubhanshu Shukla earlier made history by becoming the 634th human in space and the first Indian to board the International Space Station (ISS), describing the moment as a 'privilege.' The Ax-4 crew successfully docked with the ISS following a 28-hour journey aboard the SpaceX Dragon spacecraft. 'I am no 634, that's a privilege,' said Shukla shortly after receiving his astronaut pin from Ax-4 mission commander Peggy Whitson. 'To be fair, it is a privilege to be amongst the few who have got the chance to see the Earth from a vantage point that I have been able to see now. It has been a wonderful ride. I was looking forward to coming to space--it is something to look forward to. But the moment I entered the ISS, I felt welcomed. You guys literally opened up your doors like your house doors for us, that was fantastic. The expectations I had were surpassed, so thank you so much; this was fantastic. I am confident the next 14 days are going to be amazing doing science and research,' he said. In a message to Indians back home, Shukla said, 'It is because of your love and blessings that I have safely reached the International Space Station. It may look easy to stand here, but it is not; my head is aching. However, we will get used to it. We will be here for 14 days, conducting scientific experiments and speaking with you. This is a milestone for India. Let's make this journey exciting and let everyone participate with interest.' He added, 'The Tricolour I bear on my shoulder makes me feel as though the entire country is with me. I believe the next 14 days are going to be truly interesting.' The Ax-4 crew, comprising Commander Peggy Whitson, Pilot Shubhanshu Shukla, Mission Specialist Slawosz Uznanski-Wisniewski of Poland, and Mission Specialist Tibor Kapu of Hungary, entered the ISS at 8:23 a.m. EDT after a smooth docking. Their arrival was marked by a traditional welcome ceremony. The mission represents a return to human spaceflight for India, Poland, and Hungary, with each nation sending a government-sponsored astronaut to the ISS for the first time in over 40 years. This is also the first time these countries are conducting a mission aboard the ISS. As Axiom Space's most research-intensive mission to date, Ax-4 will include over 60 experiments and technology demonstrations. These include studies in biology, muscle regeneration, edible microalgae, digital interface testing, and the survival of aquatic organisms. The research has been jointly developed by NASA, the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO), and Axiom Space. The crew launched from NASA's Kennedy Space Centre in Florida aboard a Falcon 9 rocket at 3:21 am ET on Wednesday, June 25. The mission is expected to last for up to 14 days. (ANI)
