Axiom-4 Mission: India Celebrates Historic Space Launch, Yuvraj Singh Hails Shubhanshu Shukla's Milestone

The successful launch of the Axiom-4 mission has sparked nationwide celebration in India. Former cricketer Yuvraj Singh voiced the collective pride in a touching message following the launch.

Yuvraj Singh celebrates Shubhanshu Shukla's space mission.

"As Group Captain Shukla ascended into space, he carried not only the hopes of our nation but also the strength of every Indian who dreams big. This is a moment that will be etched in our memories for generations," Singh stated.

The Axiom-4 mission represents a historic return to human spaceflight for India, marking 41 years since Rakesh Sharma's pioneering voyage.

Blasting off from NASA’s Kennedy Space Centre in Florida on Wednesday, the SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket transported Indian Air Force Group Captain Shubhanshu Shukla, accompanied by astronauts from Hungary, Poland, and the United States.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi also conveyed his congratulations, emphasizing that Shukla carries the aspirations of 1.4 billion Indians.

"We applaud the successful launch of the Space Mission, which includes astronauts from India, Hungary, Poland, and the US. The Indian Astronaut, Group Captain Shubhanshu Shukla, is on his way to becoming the first Indian to visit the International Space Station. He embodies the wishes, hopes, and aspirations of 1.4 billion Indians. We wish him and the other astronauts every success!" Modi shared on X.

The astronauts are scheduled to spend 14 days aboard the International Space Station, during which they will conduct over 60 scientific experiments.

Addressing the nation from his spacecraft, named Grace, Shukla conveyed, “Namaskar, my dear countrymen. After 41 years, we have reached space. It was a fantastic journey."

Orbiting Earth at a speed of 7.5 km per second, Shukla proudly displayed the Indian tricolor on his suit, symbolizing the unity and spirit of the nation. He expressed his hope that the mission would ignite curiosity and inspire a new generation of Indians to explore the wonders of space.

"This isn’t just my journey -- it’s India’s journey into the future of human spaceflight," he added.

With his words resonating throughout the country, Shukla’s mission has already begun to reshape India's role in space exploration.