Say Cheese! Shubhanshu Shukla's Space Selfie With Hungarian Crewmate Lights Up Social Media

Last Updated:June 29, 2025, 21:15 IST

The photo, which surfaced on Sunday, shows Shukla smiling alongside his Hungarian crewmate, Tibor Kapu

Shubhanshu Shukla with Hungarian crewmate Tibor Kapu.

A selfie taken by Indian Air Force (IAF) Group Captain Shubhanshu Shukla from space has captured the internet’s attention.

The photo, which surfaced on Sunday, shows Shukla smiling alongside his Hungarian crewmate, Tibor Kapu, inside the Cupola module of the International Space Station (ISS).

Lucknow-born Captain Shukla made history last Thursday by becoming the first Indian to set foot on the ISS, and only the second Indian in space after Rakesh Sharma’s mission in 1984.

At 39 years old, he is now the 634th astronaut to travel beyond Earth, taking part in a commercial mission operated by Axiom Space.

As Mission Pilot of the four-member Axiom Mission 4, Shukla launched aboard a SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket on June 25 from NASA’s Kennedy Space Center in Florida. After a smooth 28-hour journey, the Dragon spacecraft successfully docked with the ISS, where he and the crew were greeted with warm hugs and handshakes.

After stepping into the ISS, Shukla signed off his first public message with the proud words, “Jai Hind, Jai Bharat."

On Saturday, Prime Minister Narendra Modi spoke with Shukla via video call, congratulating him and calling his journey the start of a new era in India’s space ambitions.

The Prime Minister also praised Shukla for bringing pride to the nation. He noted that though Shukla is presently the farthest from the Indian motherland, he remains closest to the hearts of all Indians.

ALSO READ: ‘My Feet Are Tied Or Else…’: PM Modi And Shubhanshu Shukla Talk Gravity At Space | Watch

(With inputs from agencies)

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News viral Say Cheese! Shubhanshu Shukla's Space Selfie With Hungarian Crewmate Lights Up Social Media