Washington DC, June 26: The crew of Axiom Mission 4 (Ax-4), currently en route to the International Space Station (ISS) aboard the SpaceX Dragon spacecraft, shared their first in-orbit update early Wednesday, offering insight into their emotions and experiences in microgravity.
In a live session streamed at 1:47 AM EDT, mission pilot Group Captain Shubhanshu Shukla of the Indian Air Force described the launch as a “magical ride” and expressed deep gratitude to the mission team.
“We were in the capsule ‘Grace’ for nearly three hours before launch. When liftoff finally happened, it was something else. You’re pushed back into the seat—and then, silence. You’re floating. It’s absolutely magical,” said Shukla.
He dedicated the moment to collective achievement, stating:
“It’s not just a personal milestone—it belongs to all of us who made this journey possible.”
Reflecting on the swan mascot aboard Dragon, Shukla shared,
“It symbolises serenity, wisdom, and purpose. To me, it holds a deeper meaning.”
This mission holds historic significance for Shukla, who becomes India’s second astronaut in space after Wing Commander Rakesh Sharma in 1984.
In a heartfelt message from orbit, Shukla addressed the nation:
“Namaskar, my dear countrymen. We are back in space after 41 years. The Tiranga on my shoulder reminds me I am with you all. This isn’t just about reaching the ISS—it’s the beginning of India’s Human Space Programme. Jai Hind! Jai Bharat!”
Other crew members also shared their excitement:
- Mission Specialist Slawosz Uznanski-Wisniewski praised the joy of being in space alongside their mascot “Joy”.
- Mission Specialist Tibor Kapu emphasized the team’s global representation: “We represent four countries and nearly 30% of Earth’s population. When we look out the window, we see all of you.”
- Commander Peggy Whitson, a veteran astronaut, noted: “We’re thrilled by the support from Earth and excited for what’s ahead.”
The SpaceX Dragon launched from NASA’s Kennedy Space Center on Wednesday (noon IST) and is scheduled to dock at the ISS’s Harmony module at 4:30 PM IST today.
NASA Flight Engineers Anne McClain and Nichole Ayers are monitoring the spacecraft’s automated approach. Upon arrival, the Ax-4 team will be welcomed by Expedition 73’s seven-member crew and receive a safety briefing.
The Ax-4 crew will spend up to 14 days aboard the ISS, conducting extensive scientific research, educational outreach, and commercial activities. This is Axiom Space’s most research-intensive mission yet, with joint experiments from NASA and ISRO on:
- Muscle regeneration
- Edible microalgae growth
- Survival of aquatic microorganisms
- Human interaction with digital displays in microgravity
Axiom’s first private astronaut mission, Ax-1, launched in April 2022 and lasted 17 days. The Ax-4 mission marks a pivotal chapter in the collaboration between private spaceflight, international partnerships, and India’s space ambitions.