14 hours ago
‘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.'
