‘Jai Hind, Jai Bharat’: Shubhanshu Shukla Sends First Message from Space, Marks Historic Moment for India

International Space Station, June 27 — Indian astronaut Shubhanshu Shukla, aboard the Axiom-4 mission, has made history by becoming the first Indian to reach the International Space Station (ISS). In his first heartfelt message back to Earth, Shukla said, “Jai Hind, Jai Bharat,” proudly declaring that his presence on the ISS marks India’s first major step in space exploration.

“A small message for my beloved fellow Indians – with your love and blessings, I’ve reached the International Space Station. It might seem easy, but our heads feel a little heavy here. Still, that doesn’t matter. We’ll adjust in a few days. I wear my country’s flag on my shoulders with pride,” said Shukla.

India’s Proud Space Moment: Axiom-4 Mission Launch Details

The Axiom-4 mission launch took place on June 25 at 2:31 AM IST from NASA’s Kennedy Space Center in Florida, aboard a SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket. Shubhanshu Shukla is among this historic mission, which includes mission commander and erstwhile NASA astronaut Peggy Whitson, ESA Polish astronaut Sławosz Uznański-Wiśniewski, and Hungarian scientist Tibor Kapu.

The Axiom-4 crew was greeted warmly upon arrival aboard the ISS by Expedition 73 members, welcoming them with smiles and warm hugs. Shukla expressed deep gratitude for the warm reception, stating:

“It’s been a wonderful ride. The moment I entered the ISS, it felt like I was welcomed into a home. The experience has already surpassed my expectations – not just the view, but the people here. Thank you so much.”

Shubhanshu Shukla Axiom-4 Mission: India Embarks on a New Chapter in Space Exploration

Shukla highlighted that the coming 14 days will be filled with science experiments designed to help global research. This mission represents India’s growing role in space cooperation, particularly with organizations such as NASA, ESA, and private players such as Axiom Space and SpaceX.

“We will conduct multiple experiments and I’ll continue to share updates. I am very excited, and I believe every Indian shares this excitement with me. Thank you. Jai Hind. Jai Bharat,” Shukla added.

Why This Matters to India

This achievement is greater than a private success—it’s a turning point for India’s goals in space missions. With this success in the Axiom-4 mission, India takes alliance with world leaders in space, opening doors to future human spaceflight missions.

This is headline news that not only speaks to India news today, but also to the country’s wider aspirations in science, innovation, and global collaboration in space.