Axiom-4 Mission: Shubhanshu Shukla Carries Hopes And Aspirations Of 1.4 Billion Indians, Says PM Modi

Catch all the live updates on Axiom-4 mission launch here.

The Axiom-4 commercial mission is led by Commander Peggy Whitson, with Shukla as mission pilot and Hungarian astronaut Tibor Kapu and Poland's Slawosz Uznanski-Wisniewski as mission specialists. (Photo Source: NASA/ X profile)

After multiple delays, Indian astronaut Shubhanshu Shukla and three others successfully lifted off to travel to the International Space Station on Wednesday. NASA, Axiom Space, and SpaceX are now targeting 12.01 PM (IST) on June 25, for launch of the fourth private astronaut mission to the ISS, Axiom Mission 4.

Axiom-4 Mission Launch Live: FM Congratulates Shukla, ISRO

In a post on X, Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman congratulated ISRO and Group Captain Sudhanshu Shukla after a successful lift off.

Axiom-4 Mission Launch Live Updates: Rajnath Singh Wishes Success To The Crew

The Space Mission carrying astronauts from four countries including India is going to be a significant milestone in the history of space exploration, shared Union Defence Minister Rajnath Singh.

"The Indian Astronaut, Group Captain Shubhanshu Shukla who hails from Lucknow is set to be the first Indian to go to International Space Station. The country is proud of him. Wishing him and his fellow space travellers success in their endeavours," Singh said.

Axiom-4 Mission Launch Live Updates: ISRO Posts Shubhanshu Shukla's First Word In Space

First words spoken by our very own Shubhanshu Shukla from space!!, shared ISRO.

Axiom-4 Mission Launch Live Updates: 'Subhanshu Shukla Carries With Him Aspirations Of 1.4 Billion Indians,' Says PM Modi 

"We welcome the successful launch of the Space Mission carrying astronauts from India, Hungary, Poland and the US. The Indian Astronaut, Group Captain Shubhanshu Shukla is on the way to become the first Indian to go to International Space Station," shared PM Modi.

"He carries with him the wishes, hopes and aspirations of 1.4 billion Indians. Wish him and other astronauts all the success!," he said.

Axiom-4 Mission Launch Live Updates: President Murmu  Congratulates

President Droupadi Murmu congratulates Subhanshu Shukla on the successful liftoff. "As Group Captain Subhanshu Shukla creates a new milestone in space for India, the whole nation is excited and proud of an Indian’s journey into the stars," she said.

"He and his fellow astronauts of Axiom Mission 4 from the US, Poland and Hungary prove the world is indeed one family – ‘Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam’," she said.

"My best wishes for the success of this mission, which reflects the enduring partnership between NASA and ISRO. The wide ranging experiments to be performed by the crew will lead to new frontiers of scientific studies and space exploration," she further said.

Axiom-4 Mission Launch Live Updates: 'Namaskar, My Dear Countrymen,' Shubhanshu Shukla Says 10 Minutes Into Spaceflight

"Namaskar, my dear countrymen! We have reached space after 41 years," Shubhanshu Shukla said 10 minutes into spaceflight. "It was a great ride," he said.

"We are orbiting earth at a speed of 7.5 km per second, I have Indian tricolour on my shoulders," Shukla said from Dragon spacecraft. "Tricolour tells me I am with you all."

"It is not just the start of my journey to ISS but also of India's human spaceflight. I want each one of you to be part of this journey, let us embark on India's human space programme together. Jai Hind, Jai Bharat," he said.

Axiom-4 Mission Launch Live Updates: India Is An Equal Partner, Says Jitendra Singh

India is no longer a follower but an equal partner, said Union MoS for Science & Technology Jitendra Singh on Axiom 4 mission successful launch.

"Subhanshu Shukla, the Indian member of the crew, is going to be the most crucial component of this entire mission, which is going to last about 2 weeks or so because he is the pilot and he is going to perform seven exclusive experiments which have been designed by India,” he said.

Axiom-4 Mission Launch Live Updates: Parents Of Indian Astronaut Shubhanshu Shukla Celebrate

Parents of Indian astronaut Shubhanshu Shukla celebrate as Axiom-4 mission lifts off from NASA's Kennedy Space Centre in Florida, US.

"We are deeply thankful to everyone who offered their blessings. We are truly grateful to all those who prayed for our child," said father of Indian astronaut Shubhanshu Shukla.

"These are tears of joy, not of sorrow. The mission has been successful," said mother of Indian astronaut Shukla.

Axiom-4 Mission Launch Live Updates: Indian Air Force Calls It A Dèjà-Vu Moment

Its a dèjà-vu moment for India, said the official post by Indian Air Force.

"From conquering the skies to touching the stars— a journey powered by the indomitable spirit of the IAF Air Warrior. Group Captain Shubahanshu Shukla sets forth on a landmark Space Mission, carrying the pride of the nation beyond Earth," it said.

"This is a dèjà-vu moment for India, 41 years after the mission of Sqn Ldr Rakesh Sharma, who first carried our Tricolour beyond Earth. Being more than a mission — it is reaffirmation of India’s ever-expanding horizon," it added.

Axiom-4 Mission Launch Live Updates: 'Indeed A Proud Moment For India!,' Says Jitendra Singh

Indeed a proud moment for India!, said Union Minister Jitendra Singh on Wednesday after Shubhanshu Shukla and his crew had a successful takeoff.

"Congratulations Group Captain Shubhanshu Shukla — you are the first Indian Astranaut to embark on a mission to the International Space Station. Indeed a proud moment for India!," he said.

"ISRO's growing global collaborations, after the reforms introduced by the government headed by PM Narendra Modi, have placed India as a frontline nation in Space exploration," he further said.

Axiom-4 Mission Launch Live Updates: Dragon Separated From Falcon 9’s Second Stage

Dragon has separated from Falcon 9’s second stage, after a successful liftoff.

Axiom-4 Mission Launch Live Updates: A Successful Liftoff

Indian astronaut Shubhanshu Shukla, along with three international crewmates, successfully lifted off to the International Space Station on Wednesday following multiple delays.

Read full story here.

Axiom-4 Mission Launch Live Updates: Liftoff Of Ax-4

Check out the liftoff video for the Axiom-4 mission.

Axiom-4 Mission Launch Live Updates: Mission Launched

India's Shubhanshu Shukla and crew had a successful launch.

Axiom-4 Mission Launch Live Updates: Launching Soon

Dragon set for launch.

Axiom-4 Mission Launch Live Updates: Rakesh Sharma's Message To The Crew

In a special message ahead of their takeoff Rakesh Sharma has wished all the best to the crew.

"Have a fun time guys. Spend as much time as possible to look out of the window," Sharma said in a video by Axiom-4.

Axiom-4 Mission Launch Live Updates: T-35 Minutes Until Liftoff

T-35 minutes until liftoff. Propellant load of Falcon 9 is underway and Dragon’s escape system is armed.

Axiom-4 Mission Launch Live Updates: Crew Met Their Families

The crew met their families before officially handed over to SpaceX Axiom-4. From there, the crew left to get suited up.

Axiom-4 Mission Launch Live Updates: Weather Is Good, No Issue On Dragon

Weather is good, no issue on Dragon, as per NDTV report. "The only particular issue is of uploading weather data, it very likely to be a software issue," it said.

"If that does not happen, they will not fly tonight," it further said.

Axiom-4 Mission Launch Live Updates: Union Minister Jitendra Singh Shares Update

Union Minister for Jitendra Singh has updated on Axiom-4 Mission launch.

"Update on Axiom-4 Mission to International Space Station (ISS): Indian astronaut Group Captain Subhanshu Shukla formally joins the other three crew members for the much-awaited launch, as of now, scheduled around 12:01 p.m. IST today," he shared.

Axiom-4 Mission Launch Live Updates: First Flight For The Dragon Supporting The Mission

This is the first flight for the Dragon supporting this mission, adding a fifth Dragon to the fleet to support human spaceflight missions, shared SpaceX.

Axiom-4 Mission Launch Live Updates: Dragon’s Hatch Is Closed

Dragon’s hatch is closed, all communication and suit checks are complete, the seats are rotated, and the Ax-4 crew is ready for launch!, shared SpaceX.

Axiom-4 Mission Launch Live Updates: When And Where To Watch It Live?

Viewers in India can watch the live stream of the event on the YouTube channel of Axiom Space, SpaceX’s website and NASA+.

Axiom Space and SpaceX to start coverage of the launch at 10 a.m. IST, meanwhile NASA+ to start coverage at 11:10 a.m. IST.

Check full details.

Axiom-4 Mission Launch Live Updates: Meet Joy-The Swan Soft Toy

During a recent pre-flight virtual press conference, the Axiom-4 crew unveiled Joy as their mission's zero-gravity indicator — a traditional token carried onboard by astronauts to visually signal the moment the spacecraft reaches orbit and enters weightlessness.

Read full story here.

Axiom-4 Mission Launch Live Updates: Shubhanshu Shukla's Major Experiments In Space

Indian Air Force officer, Shubhanshu Shukla, will be researching microgravity in the International Space Station over a period of 14 days, as part of the Axiom-4 Mission.

As part of his research, he will be required to grow the water bear, also known as tardigrade. The water bear can reach merely 0.5 mm in length and will be utilised to comprehend how living things adapt to microgravity. Moreover, Shukla will grow special bacteria and study the impact of space on muscle cells, to understand why astronauts face muscle loss in space.

Read more about experiments here.

Axiom-4 Mission Launch Live Updates: Meet Shubhanshu Shukla

Shubhanshu Shukla, an Indian Air Force officer and ISRO astronaut, is one of the pilots for Axiom Mission 4 (Ax-4), a private astronaut mission to the International Space Station. With this, he will become the first Indian astronaut to travel to the ISS. 

Read full story here.

Axiom-4 Mission Launch Live Updates: Meet The Crew

This mission features an international crew comprising astronauts from the United States, India, Poland and Hungary.

The Axiom-4 commercial mission is led by Commander Peggy Whitson, with Shukla as mission pilot and Hungarian astronaut Tibor Kapu and Poland's Slawosz Uznanski-Wisniewski as mission specialists.

Axiom-4 Mission Launch Live Updates: Shubhanshu Shukla And Crew Are Set For Launch

After multiple delays, Indian astronaut Shubhanshu Shukla and three others are all set to travel to the International Space Station on Wednesday with SpaceX announcing that the weather was 90% favourable for lift-off.

NASA, Axiom Space, and SpaceX are now targeting 12.01 PM (IST) on June 25, for launch of the fourth private astronaut mission to the International Space Station, Axiom Mission 4.

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