Trained in blue, bound for stars: Air Force on Shubhanshu Shukla's launch

Group Captain Shubhanshu Shukla made history on Wednesday as he soared into space aboard SpaceX’s Dragon spacecraft, becoming the first Indian to reach the International Space Station (ISS) on a private commercial mission.

In a congratulatory message on X, the Indian Air Force wrote: “Indian Air Force tweets, "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. This is a dj-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 a reaffirmation of India’s ever-expanding horizon."

Union Minister Dr. Jitendra Singh also hailed the successful launch of the mission being piloted by Shukla and said, “India’s rise to the status of Viksit Bharat has taken flight through space.”

"It is indeed the vindication of the founding fathers of India's space program, Vikram Sarabhai and Satish Dhawan. It is so that this vindication of our founding fathers had to happen under the leadership of PM Modi. India is no longer a follower but an equal partner in all our collaborations. Shubhanshu Shukla is possibly the most crucial member of this mission as he performs seven crucial experiments designed by Indian institutes. These will be of vital importance to all agencies across the world," he added.

After several delays, SpaceX’s Falcon 9 rocket successfully lifted off on Wednesday from Launch Complex 39A at NASA’s Kennedy Space Center in Florida at 12:31a.m. IST (6:31a.m. GMT).

Shukla is joined by three international crewmates for the 14-day Axiom-4 mission. Together, they will conduct more than 60 microgravity experiments aboard the ISS. As mission pilot, Shukla is now navigating the spacecraft toward a precise docking, nearly 400 km above Earth.

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