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Toronto Sun
9 hours ago
- Science
- Toronto Sun
Astronauts from India, Poland and Hungary blast off on privately funded trip to the space station
Published Jun 25, 2025 • 4 minute read A SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket with a crew of four aboard a Dragon Spacecraft lifts off from pad 39A at the Kennedy Space Center in Cape Canaveral, Fla., Wednesday, June 25, 2025. Photo by Terry Renna / AP Photo CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. — India, Poland and Hungary launched their first astronauts in more than 40 years Wednesday, sending them on a private flight to the International Space Station. This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. THIS CONTENT IS RESERVED FOR SUBSCRIBERS ONLY Subscribe now to read the latest news in your city and across Canada. Unlimited online access to articles from across Canada with one account. Get exclusive access to the Toronto Sun ePaper, an electronic replica of the print edition that you can share, download and comment on. Enjoy insights and behind-the-scenes analysis from our award-winning journalists. Support local journalists and the next generation of journalists. Daily puzzles including the New York Times Crossword. SUBSCRIBE TO UNLOCK MORE ARTICLES Subscribe now to read the latest news in your city and across Canada. Unlimited online access to articles from across Canada with one account. Get exclusive access to the Toronto Sun ePaper, an electronic replica of the print edition that you can share, download and comment on. Enjoy insights and behind-the-scenes analysis from our award-winning journalists. Support local journalists and the next generation of journalists. Daily puzzles including the New York Times Crossword. REGISTER / SIGN IN TO UNLOCK MORE ARTICLES Create an account or sign in to continue with your reading experience. Access articles from across Canada with one account. Share your thoughts and join the conversation in the comments. Enjoy additional articles per month. Get email updates from your favourite authors. THIS ARTICLE IS FREE TO READ REGISTER TO UNLOCK. Create an account or sign in to continue with your reading experience. Access articles from across Canada with one account Share your thoughts and join the conversation in the comments Enjoy additional articles per month Get email updates from your favourite authors Don't have an account? Create Account The three countries shared the tab for the two-week mission. Axiom Space, the Houston company that arranged the deal, put the ticket price at more than $65 million per customer. SpaceX's Falcon rocket blasted off from NASA's Kennedy Space Center two weeks late because of space station leak concerns. The capsule on top carried not only the three newcomers to space — none of whom were alive when their countries' first astronauts launched — but America's most experienced astronaut, Peggy Whitson. Besides Whitson, the crew includes India's Shubhanshu Shukla, a pilot in the Indian Air Force; Hungary's Tibor Kapu, a mechanical engineer; and Poland's Slawosz Uznanski-Wisniewski, a radiation expert and one of the European Space Agency's project astronauts sometimes pressed into temporary duty. Your noon-hour look at what's happening in Toronto and beyond. By signing up you consent to receive the above newsletter from Postmedia Network Inc. Please try again This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. The astronauts are due to arrive at the orbiting lab the next morning. SpaceX Falcon 9 crew, left to right, Shubhanshu Shukla of the Indian Space Research Organization, Tibor Kapu of Hungary, Slawosz Uznanski-Wisniewski of Poland, and commander Peggy Whitson before departing for pad 39A for a mission to the International Space Station at the Kennedy Space Center in Cape Canaveral, Fla., Tuesday, June 24, 2025. Photo by Terry Renna / AP Photo In addition to dozens of experiments, the astronauts are flying food that celebrates their heritage: Indian curry and rice with mango nectar; spicy Hungarian paprika paste; and freeze-fried Polish pierogies. Hungary's first astronaut, Bertalan Farkas, cheered on Kapu from the launch site. 'For such a small country as Hungary, it is really important to collaborate in a peaceful international space cooperation,' Farkas told The Associated Press. He called it 'one of the most important moments' of his life. Farkas launched with the Soviets in 1980, taking along a teddy bear in a cosmonaut suit that went back up with Kapu. India and Poland's original astronauts also launched with the Soviets in the late 1970s and 1980s. This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. Uznanski-Wisniewski carried up the Polish flag worn on his predecessor's spacesuit, noting that Miroslaw Hermaszewski was his biggest supporter until his death in 2022. India's first astronaut, Rakesh Sharma, couldn't make it to Florida for the launch; Shukla said he's been a mentor 'at every step of this journey' and is flying a surprise gift for him. While others born in India and Hungary have flown in space before — including NASA astronaut Kalpana Chawla, who died aboard the shuttle Columbia in 2003, and two-time space tourist Charles Simonyi, of Microsoft fame — they were U.S. citizens at the time of launch. Shukla said before the flight that he hopes 'to ignite the curiosity of an entire generation in my country' and drive innovation. Like his crewmates, he plans several outreach events with those back home. This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. 'I truly believe that even though I, as an individual, am traveling to space, this is the journey of 1.4 billion people,' he said. It was Axiom's fourth chartered flight to the space station since 2022 and Whitson's second time flying as an Axiom crew commander and chaperone. The trip caused her to miss her induction into the U.S. Astronaut Hall of Fame late last month, since she was in quarantine before the flight. Whitson joined Axiom after retiring from NASA nearly a decade ago and has logged almost two years in orbit over her career. Once opposed to nontraditional station guests, NASA now throws out the welcome mat, charging for their food and upkeep while insisting that an experienced astronaut accompany them. This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. It's all part of NASA's push to open space — moon included _ to private businesses. Axiom is among several U.S. companies planning to launch their own space stations in the next few years. The goal is for them to be up and running before the international station comes down in 2031 after more than three decades of operation. Access to space 'is not only for the biggest agencies anymore — space is for everyone,' Poland's Uznanski-Wisniewski said ahead of liftoff. He repeated the sentiment upon reaching orbit. Hungarians want to 'sit at the same table with the giants,' said Kapu. Through this mission, 'Hungary gets one step closer to the stars.' They should have flown earlier this year, but their mission was delayed following a switch in SpaceX capsules. The change enabled NASA's two stuck astronauts Butch Wilmore and Suni Williams to return to Earth in March sooner than planned. This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. The Axiom astronauts faced more launch delays once arriving in Florida. SpaceX had to fix an oxygen leak in its rocket, then NASA put the crew's visit on indefinite hold while monitoring repairs to longtime air leaks on the Russian side of the space station. Once in orbit, the astronauts radioed messages in their native languages and revealed the name they gave to their brand-new capsule: Grace. SpaceX CEO and founder Elon Musk's Falcon rockets launching from Florida and California are considerably smaller than the Starships making test flights out of Texas and, this year, exploding one after the other. Reliable frequent flyers, Falcons have been carrying crews to orbit since 2020. NASA needs Starship for the moon, while Musk envisions it for Mars travel. Toronto Maple Leafs Toronto Blue Jays Relationships World MLB
Glasgow Times
13 hours ago
- Science
- Glasgow Times
Astronauts from India, Poland and Hungary blast off on privately funded ISS trip
The three countries shared the tab for the two-week mission. Axiom Space, the Houston company that arranged the deal, put the ticket price at more than 65 million dollars (£47.7 million) per customer. A SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket with a crew of four aboard a Dragon Spacecraft lifts off from pad 39A at the Kennedy Space Centre in Cape Canaveral, Florida (Terry Renna/AP) SpaceX's Falcon rocket blasted off from Nasa's Kennedy Space Centre two weeks late because of space station leak concerns. The capsule on top carried not only the three newcomers to space – none of whom were alive when their countries' first astronauts launched – but America's most experienced astronaut, Peggy Whitson. Besides Ms Whitson, the crew includes India's Shubhanshu Shukla, a pilot in the Indian Air Force; Hungary's Tibor Kapu, a mechanical engineer; and Poland's Slawosz Uznanski-Wisniewski, a radiation expert and one of the European Space Agency's project astronauts sometimes pressed into temporary duty. The astronauts are due to arrive at the orbiting lab the next morning. In addition to dozens of experiments, the astronauts are flying food that celebrates their heritage: Indian curry and rice with mango nectar; spicy Hungarian paprika paste; and freeze-fried Polish pierogies. Hungary's first astronaut, Bertalan Farkas, cheered on Mr Kapu from the launch site. 'For such a small country as Hungary, it is really important to collaborate in a peaceful international space co-operation,' Mr Farkas told The Associated Press. He called it 'one of the most important moments' of his life. SpaceX Falcon 9 crew, left to right, Shubhanshu Shukla of the Indian Space Research Organisation, Tibor Kapu of Hungary, Slawosz Uznanski-Wisniewski of Poland, and commander Peggy Whitson before departing for pad 39A at the Kennedy Space Centre in Cape Canaveral, Florida (Terry Renna/AP) Mr Farkas launched with the Soviets in 1980, taking along a teddy bear in a cosmonaut suit that went back up with Mr Kapu. India and Poland's original astronauts also launched with the Soviets in the late 1970s and 1980s. Mr Uznanski-Wisniewski carried up the Polish flag worn on his predecessor's spacesuit, noting that Miroslaw Hermaszewski was his biggest supporter until his death in 2022. India's first astronaut, Rakesh Sharma, could not make it to Florida for the launch; Mr Shukla said he has been a mentor 'at every step of this journey' and is flying a surprise gift for him. While others born in India and Hungary have flown in space before – including Nasa astronaut Kalpana Chawla, who died aboard the shuttle Columbia in 2003, and two-time space tourist Charles Simonyi, of Microsoft fame – they were US citizens at the time of launch. Mr Shukla said before the flight that he hopes 'to ignite the curiosity of an entire generation in my country' and drive innovation. Like his crewmates, he plans several outreach events with those back home. 'I truly believe that even though I, as an individual, am travelling to space, this is the journey of 1.4 billion people,' he said. A SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket with a crew of four aboard a Dragon Spacecraft lifts off from the Kennedy Space Centre in Cape Canaveral, Florida (Terry Renna/AP) It was Axiom's fourth chartered flight to the space station since 2022 and Ms Whitson's second time flying as an Axiom crew commander and chaperone. The trip caused her to miss her induction into the US Astronaut Hall of Fame late last month, since she was in quarantine before the flight. Ms Whitson joined Axiom after retiring from Nasa nearly a decade ago and has logged almost two years in orbit over her career. Once opposed to non-traditional station guests, Nasa now throws out the welcome mat, charging for their food and upkeep while insisting that an experienced astronaut accompany them. It is all part of Nasa's push to open space – Moon included – to private businesses. Axiom is among several US companies planning to launch their own space stations in the next few years. The goal is for them to be up and running before the international station comes down in 2031 after more than three decades of operation. Access to space 'is not only for the biggest agencies anymore – space is for everyone', Mr Uznanski-Wisniewski said ahead of lift-off. Shubhanshu Shukla, Tibor Kapu, Peggy Whitson and Slawosz Uznanski-Wisniewski pose for a photo before departing for a launch to the International Space Station (Terry Renna/AP) He repeated the sentiment upon reaching orbit. Hungarians want to 'sit at the same table with the giants', said Mr Kapu. Through this mission 'Hungary gets one step closer to the stars'. They should have flown earlier this year, but their mission was delayed following a switch in SpaceX capsules. The change enabled Nasa's two stuck astronauts Butch Wilmore and Suni Williams to return to Earth in March sooner than planned. The Axiom astronauts faced more launch delays once arriving in Florida. SpaceX had to fix an oxygen leak in its rocket, then Nasa put the crew's visit on indefinite hold while monitoring repairs to longtime air leaks on the Russian side of the space station. Once in orbit, the astronauts radioed messages in their native languages and revealed the name they gave to their brand-new capsule: Grace. 'Good things come to those who wait,' SpaceX told the crew. 'Godspeed to the maiden crew of Grace.' SpaceX chief executive and founder Elon Musk's Falcon rockets launching from Florida and California are considerably smaller than the Starships making test flights out of Texas and, this year, exploding one after the other. Reliable frequent flyers, Falcons have been carrying crews to orbit since 2020. Nasa needs Starship for the Moon, while Mr Musk envisions it for Mars travel.
South Wales Argus
13 hours ago
- Science
- South Wales Argus
Astronauts from India, Poland and Hungary blast off on privately funded ISS trip
The three countries shared the tab for the two-week mission. Axiom Space, the Houston company that arranged the deal, put the ticket price at more than 65 million dollars (£47.7 million) per customer. A SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket with a crew of four aboard a Dragon Spacecraft lifts off from pad 39A at the Kennedy Space Centre in Cape Canaveral, Florida (Terry Renna/AP) SpaceX's Falcon rocket blasted off from Nasa's Kennedy Space Centre two weeks late because of space station leak concerns. The capsule on top carried not only the three newcomers to space – none of whom were alive when their countries' first astronauts launched – but America's most experienced astronaut, Peggy Whitson. Besides Ms Whitson, the crew includes India's Shubhanshu Shukla, a pilot in the Indian Air Force; Hungary's Tibor Kapu, a mechanical engineer; and Poland's Slawosz Uznanski-Wisniewski, a radiation expert and one of the European Space Agency's project astronauts sometimes pressed into temporary duty. The astronauts are due to arrive at the orbiting lab the next morning. In addition to dozens of experiments, the astronauts are flying food that celebrates their heritage: Indian curry and rice with mango nectar; spicy Hungarian paprika paste; and freeze-fried Polish pierogies. Hungary's first astronaut, Bertalan Farkas, cheered on Mr Kapu from the launch site. 'For such a small country as Hungary, it is really important to collaborate in a peaceful international space co-operation,' Mr Farkas told The Associated Press. He called it 'one of the most important moments' of his life. SpaceX Falcon 9 crew, left to right, Shubhanshu Shukla of the Indian Space Research Organisation, Tibor Kapu of Hungary, Slawosz Uznanski-Wisniewski of Poland, and commander Peggy Whitson before departing for pad 39A at the Kennedy Space Centre in Cape Canaveral, Florida (Terry Renna/AP) Mr Farkas launched with the Soviets in 1980, taking along a teddy bear in a cosmonaut suit that went back up with Mr Kapu. India and Poland's original astronauts also launched with the Soviets in the late 1970s and 1980s. Mr Uznanski-Wisniewski carried up the Polish flag worn on his predecessor's spacesuit, noting that Miroslaw Hermaszewski was his biggest supporter until his death in 2022. India's first astronaut, Rakesh Sharma, could not make it to Florida for the launch; Mr Shukla said he has been a mentor 'at every step of this journey' and is flying a surprise gift for him. While others born in India and Hungary have flown in space before – including Nasa astronaut Kalpana Chawla, who died aboard the shuttle Columbia in 2003, and two-time space tourist Charles Simonyi, of Microsoft fame – they were US citizens at the time of launch. Mr Shukla said before the flight that he hopes 'to ignite the curiosity of an entire generation in my country' and drive innovation. Like his crewmates, he plans several outreach events with those back home. 'I truly believe that even though I, as an individual, am travelling to space, this is the journey of 1.4 billion people,' he said. A SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket with a crew of four aboard a Dragon Spacecraft lifts off from the Kennedy Space Centre in Cape Canaveral, Florida (Terry Renna/AP) It was Axiom's fourth chartered flight to the space station since 2022 and Ms Whitson's second time flying as an Axiom crew commander and chaperone. The trip caused her to miss her induction into the US Astronaut Hall of Fame late last month, since she was in quarantine before the flight. Ms Whitson joined Axiom after retiring from Nasa nearly a decade ago and has logged almost two years in orbit over her career. Once opposed to non-traditional station guests, Nasa now throws out the welcome mat, charging for their food and upkeep while insisting that an experienced astronaut accompany them. It is all part of Nasa's push to open space – Moon included – to private businesses. Axiom is among several US companies planning to launch their own space stations in the next few years. The goal is for them to be up and running before the international station comes down in 2031 after more than three decades of operation. Access to space 'is not only for the biggest agencies anymore – space is for everyone', Mr Uznanski-Wisniewski said ahead of lift-off. Shubhanshu Shukla, Tibor Kapu, Peggy Whitson and Slawosz Uznanski-Wisniewski pose for a photo before departing for a launch to the International Space Station (Terry Renna/AP) He repeated the sentiment upon reaching orbit. Hungarians want to 'sit at the same table with the giants', said Mr Kapu. Through this mission 'Hungary gets one step closer to the stars'. They should have flown earlier this year, but their mission was delayed following a switch in SpaceX capsules. The change enabled Nasa's two stuck astronauts Butch Wilmore and Suni Williams to return to Earth in March sooner than planned. The Axiom astronauts faced more launch delays once arriving in Florida. SpaceX had to fix an oxygen leak in its rocket, then Nasa put the crew's visit on indefinite hold while monitoring repairs to longtime air leaks on the Russian side of the space station. Once in orbit, the astronauts radioed messages in their native languages and revealed the name they gave to their brand-new capsule: Grace. 'Good things come to those who wait,' SpaceX told the crew. 'Godspeed to the maiden crew of Grace.' SpaceX chief executive and founder Elon Musk's Falcon rockets launching from Florida and California are considerably smaller than the Starships making test flights out of Texas and, this year, exploding one after the other. Reliable frequent flyers, Falcons have been carrying crews to orbit since 2020. Nasa needs Starship for the Moon, while Mr Musk envisions it for Mars travel.
The Herald Scotland
13 hours ago
- Science
- The Herald Scotland
Astronauts from India, Poland and Hungary blast off on privately funded ISS trip
Axiom Space, the Houston company that arranged the deal, put the ticket price at more than 65 million dollars (£47.7 million) per customer. A SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket with a crew of four aboard a Dragon Spacecraft lifts off from pad 39A at the Kennedy Space Centre in Cape Canaveral, Florida (Terry Renna/AP) SpaceX's Falcon rocket blasted off from Nasa's Kennedy Space Centre two weeks late because of space station leak concerns. The capsule on top carried not only the three newcomers to space – none of whom were alive when their countries' first astronauts launched – but America's most experienced astronaut, Peggy Whitson. Besides Ms Whitson, the crew includes India's Shubhanshu Shukla, a pilot in the Indian Air Force; Hungary's Tibor Kapu, a mechanical engineer; and Poland's Slawosz Uznanski-Wisniewski, a radiation expert and one of the European Space Agency's project astronauts sometimes pressed into temporary duty. The astronauts are due to arrive at the orbiting lab the next morning. In addition to dozens of experiments, the astronauts are flying food that celebrates their heritage: Indian curry and rice with mango nectar; spicy Hungarian paprika paste; and freeze-fried Polish pierogies. Hungary's first astronaut, Bertalan Farkas, cheered on Mr Kapu from the launch site. 'For such a small country as Hungary, it is really important to collaborate in a peaceful international space co-operation,' Mr Farkas told The Associated Press. He called it 'one of the most important moments' of his life. SpaceX Falcon 9 crew, left to right, Shubhanshu Shukla of the Indian Space Research Organisation, Tibor Kapu of Hungary, Slawosz Uznanski-Wisniewski of Poland, and commander Peggy Whitson before departing for pad 39A at the Kennedy Space Centre in Cape Canaveral, Florida (Terry Renna/AP) Mr Farkas launched with the Soviets in 1980, taking along a teddy bear in a cosmonaut suit that went back up with Mr Kapu. India and Poland's original astronauts also launched with the Soviets in the late 1970s and 1980s. Mr Uznanski-Wisniewski carried up the Polish flag worn on his predecessor's spacesuit, noting that Miroslaw Hermaszewski was his biggest supporter until his death in 2022. India's first astronaut, Rakesh Sharma, could not make it to Florida for the launch; Mr Shukla said he has been a mentor 'at every step of this journey' and is flying a surprise gift for him. While others born in India and Hungary have flown in space before – including Nasa astronaut Kalpana Chawla, who died aboard the shuttle Columbia in 2003, and two-time space tourist Charles Simonyi, of Microsoft fame – they were US citizens at the time of launch. Mr Shukla said before the flight that he hopes 'to ignite the curiosity of an entire generation in my country' and drive innovation. Like his crewmates, he plans several outreach events with those back home. 'I truly believe that even though I, as an individual, am travelling to space, this is the journey of 1.4 billion people,' he said. A SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket with a crew of four aboard a Dragon Spacecraft lifts off from the Kennedy Space Centre in Cape Canaveral, Florida (Terry Renna/AP) It was Axiom's fourth chartered flight to the space station since 2022 and Ms Whitson's second time flying as an Axiom crew commander and chaperone. The trip caused her to miss her induction into the US Astronaut Hall of Fame late last month, since she was in quarantine before the flight. Ms Whitson joined Axiom after retiring from Nasa nearly a decade ago and has logged almost two years in orbit over her career. Once opposed to non-traditional station guests, Nasa now throws out the welcome mat, charging for their food and upkeep while insisting that an experienced astronaut accompany them. It is all part of Nasa's push to open space – Moon included – to private businesses. Axiom is among several US companies planning to launch their own space stations in the next few years. The goal is for them to be up and running before the international station comes down in 2031 after more than three decades of operation. Access to space 'is not only for the biggest agencies anymore – space is for everyone', Mr Uznanski-Wisniewski said ahead of lift-off. Shubhanshu Shukla, Tibor Kapu, Peggy Whitson and Slawosz Uznanski-Wisniewski pose for a photo before departing for a launch to the International Space Station (Terry Renna/AP) He repeated the sentiment upon reaching orbit. Hungarians want to 'sit at the same table with the giants', said Mr Kapu. Through this mission 'Hungary gets one step closer to the stars'. They should have flown earlier this year, but their mission was delayed following a switch in SpaceX capsules. The change enabled Nasa's two stuck astronauts Butch Wilmore and Suni Williams to return to Earth in March sooner than planned. The Axiom astronauts faced more launch delays once arriving in Florida. SpaceX had to fix an oxygen leak in its rocket, then Nasa put the crew's visit on indefinite hold while monitoring repairs to longtime air leaks on the Russian side of the space station. Once in orbit, the astronauts radioed messages in their native languages and revealed the name they gave to their brand-new capsule: Grace. 'Good things come to those who wait,' SpaceX told the crew. 'Godspeed to the maiden crew of Grace.' SpaceX chief executive and founder Elon Musk's Falcon rockets launching from Florida and California are considerably smaller than the Starships making test flights out of Texas and, this year, exploding one after the other. Reliable frequent flyers, Falcons have been carrying crews to orbit since 2020. Nasa needs Starship for the Moon, while Mr Musk envisions it for Mars travel.
Western Telegraph
13 hours ago
- Science
- Western Telegraph
Astronauts from India, Poland and Hungary blast off on privately funded ISS trip
The three countries shared the tab for the two-week mission. Axiom Space, the Houston company that arranged the deal, put the ticket price at more than 65 million dollars (£47.7 million) per customer. A SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket with a crew of four aboard a Dragon Spacecraft lifts off from pad 39A at the Kennedy Space Centre in Cape Canaveral, Florida (Terry Renna/AP) SpaceX's Falcon rocket blasted off from Nasa's Kennedy Space Centre two weeks late because of space station leak concerns. The capsule on top carried not only the three newcomers to space – none of whom were alive when their countries' first astronauts launched – but America's most experienced astronaut, Peggy Whitson. Besides Ms Whitson, the crew includes India's Shubhanshu Shukla, a pilot in the Indian Air Force; Hungary's Tibor Kapu, a mechanical engineer; and Poland's Slawosz Uznanski-Wisniewski, a radiation expert and one of the European Space Agency's project astronauts sometimes pressed into temporary duty. The astronauts are due to arrive at the orbiting lab the next morning. In addition to dozens of experiments, the astronauts are flying food that celebrates their heritage: Indian curry and rice with mango nectar; spicy Hungarian paprika paste; and freeze-fried Polish pierogies. Hungary's first astronaut, Bertalan Farkas, cheered on Mr Kapu from the launch site. 'For such a small country as Hungary, it is really important to collaborate in a peaceful international space co-operation,' Mr Farkas told The Associated Press. He called it 'one of the most important moments' of his life. SpaceX Falcon 9 crew, left to right, Shubhanshu Shukla of the Indian Space Research Organisation, Tibor Kapu of Hungary, Slawosz Uznanski-Wisniewski of Poland, and commander Peggy Whitson before departing for pad 39A at the Kennedy Space Centre in Cape Canaveral, Florida (Terry Renna/AP) Mr Farkas launched with the Soviets in 1980, taking along a teddy bear in a cosmonaut suit that went back up with Mr Kapu. India and Poland's original astronauts also launched with the Soviets in the late 1970s and 1980s. Mr Uznanski-Wisniewski carried up the Polish flag worn on his predecessor's spacesuit, noting that Miroslaw Hermaszewski was his biggest supporter until his death in 2022. India's first astronaut, Rakesh Sharma, could not make it to Florida for the launch; Mr Shukla said he has been a mentor 'at every step of this journey' and is flying a surprise gift for him. While others born in India and Hungary have flown in space before – including Nasa astronaut Kalpana Chawla, who died aboard the shuttle Columbia in 2003, and two-time space tourist Charles Simonyi, of Microsoft fame – they were US citizens at the time of launch. Mr Shukla said before the flight that he hopes 'to ignite the curiosity of an entire generation in my country' and drive innovation. Like his crewmates, he plans several outreach events with those back home. 'I truly believe that even though I, as an individual, am travelling to space, this is the journey of 1.4 billion people,' he said. A SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket with a crew of four aboard a Dragon Spacecraft lifts off from the Kennedy Space Centre in Cape Canaveral, Florida (Terry Renna/AP) It was Axiom's fourth chartered flight to the space station since 2022 and Ms Whitson's second time flying as an Axiom crew commander and chaperone. The trip caused her to miss her induction into the US Astronaut Hall of Fame late last month, since she was in quarantine before the flight. Ms Whitson joined Axiom after retiring from Nasa nearly a decade ago and has logged almost two years in orbit over her career. Once opposed to non-traditional station guests, Nasa now throws out the welcome mat, charging for their food and upkeep while insisting that an experienced astronaut accompany them. It is all part of Nasa's push to open space – Moon included – to private businesses. Axiom is among several US companies planning to launch their own space stations in the next few years. The goal is for them to be up and running before the international station comes down in 2031 after more than three decades of operation. Access to space 'is not only for the biggest agencies anymore – space is for everyone', Mr Uznanski-Wisniewski said ahead of lift-off. Shubhanshu Shukla, Tibor Kapu, Peggy Whitson and Slawosz Uznanski-Wisniewski pose for a photo before departing for a launch to the International Space Station (Terry Renna/AP) He repeated the sentiment upon reaching orbit. Hungarians want to 'sit at the same table with the giants', said Mr Kapu. Through this mission 'Hungary gets one step closer to the stars'. They should have flown earlier this year, but their mission was delayed following a switch in SpaceX capsules. The change enabled Nasa's two stuck astronauts Butch Wilmore and Suni Williams to return to Earth in March sooner than planned. The Axiom astronauts faced more launch delays once arriving in Florida. SpaceX had to fix an oxygen leak in its rocket, then Nasa put the crew's visit on indefinite hold while monitoring repairs to longtime air leaks on the Russian side of the space station. Once in orbit, the astronauts radioed messages in their native languages and revealed the name they gave to their brand-new capsule: Grace. 'Good things come to those who wait,' SpaceX told the crew. 'Godspeed to the maiden crew of Grace.' SpaceX chief executive and founder Elon Musk's Falcon rockets launching from Florida and California are considerably smaller than the Starships making test flights out of Texas and, this year, exploding one after the other. Reliable frequent flyers, Falcons have been carrying crews to orbit since 2020. Nasa needs Starship for the Moon, while Mr Musk envisions it for Mars travel.
