‘Jai Hind, Jai Bharat’: Shubhanshu Shukla’s First Message from ISS

Just hours after stepping aboard the International Space Station (ISS), Indian astronaut Shubhanshu Shukla on Thursday delivered his first message from space, calling his presence at the ISS a symbolic beginning of India’s journey into space exploration.

In an emotional message delivered in Hindi, Shukla said: “A small message for my fellow countrymen. With your love and blessings, I have safely reached the International Space Station. It may look easy to stand here, but it's not that easy. My head feels heavy and there’s a little discomfort, but these are very small things, and in a few days we’ll get used to them."

"For the next 14 days, we will stay here, conduct many scientific experiments, and stay in touch with you. This phase also marks the first step in our own space journey. I spoke to you a little while ago from the Dragon spacecraft, and I will keep speaking from here as well. Let’s make this journey exciting and participate with great enthusiasm. I’m carrying the Indian tricolour on my shoulder, and I believe the next 14 days will be thrilling.
Jai Hind, Jai Bharat.”

Shukla also expressed his deep appreciation to the ISS crew, who warmly welcomed the Axiom-4 astronauts aboard the station.

“It has been a wonderful ride — I was looking forward to coming to space. The minute I entered the ISS and met this crew, you made me feel so welcome, as if you literally opened your house doors for us. Whatever expectations I had have been surpassed — by the view, of course, but also by you. Thank you so much,” he said.

“I’m very confident the next 14 days will be amazing as we advance science and research together," he added.

Shukla’s journey marks a historic moment, as he becomes only the second Indian to travel into space, following Wing Commander Rakesh Sharma's landmark 1984 mission aboard the Soviet Soyuz T-11.

He is part of the four-member Axiom Mission 4 (Ax-4), a private astronaut mission led by Axiom Space. Joining him are Slawosz Uznanski-Wisniewski of Poland, the country’s second astronaut since 1978, and Tibor Kapu of Hungary, marking the nation’s return to space after 45 years.

The crew launched from NASA’s Kennedy Space Center on Wednesday aboard a newly designed SpaceX Dragon spacecraft named Grace. At precisely 6:31 am EDT (4:01 pm IST) on Thursday, the Dragon successfully docked with the International Space Station while orbiting above the North Atlantic Ocean.

NASA confirmed the docking, stating: “At 6:31 am EDT, the SpaceX Dragon spacecraft docked to the International Space Station for the fourth private astronaut mission to the orbiting laboratory, Axiom Mission 4.”

Following a soft docking, a secure connection known as "hard-mating" was achieved when 12 hooks locked the capsule firmly to the ISS, allowing the establishment of power and communication links. The astronauts entered the station after hatch-opening procedures, which took approximately two hours.

The Ax-4 team will spend 14 days aboard the ISS, conducting a wide array of scientific experiments in microgravity and engaging in international collaboration to further space research.

Also Read: India Returns to Space: Shubhanshu Shukla Embarks on Historic Axiom-4 Mission