The Ax-4 mission lifted off from NASA’s Kennedy Space Center in Florida, marking a significant development in India's endeavors in human spaceflight. Shukla's voyage comes 41 years after Rakesh Sharma, the first Indian in space, flew aboard a Russian Soyuz spacecraft in 1984.
The crew, in space for two weeks, is expected to conduct 60 scientific experiments during their stay at the ISS. These experiments hold both scientific and technological importance, reinforcing India's ambitions for future human space missions, including plans to launch its first crewed spacecraft by 2027 and establish a space station by 2035.
During a live stream from space, Shukla expressed his exhilaration about the journey, sharing insights about the challenges and pleasures of living in zero gravity. He humorously noted the experience of adapting to life in space and introduced a symbolic companion, a toy swan named Joy, which serves as a "zero-G indicator" for the crew.
The mission also emphasizes international collaboration in space exploration, with contributions from NASA, ISRO, the European Space Agency (ESA), and SpaceX. With Shukla's journey, India marks a glorious chapter in its space history and solidifies its growing status in global space initiatives.
The crew, in space for two weeks, is expected to conduct 60 scientific experiments during their stay at the ISS. These experiments hold both scientific and technological importance, reinforcing India's ambitions for future human space missions, including plans to launch its first crewed spacecraft by 2027 and establish a space station by 2035.
During a live stream from space, Shukla expressed his exhilaration about the journey, sharing insights about the challenges and pleasures of living in zero gravity. He humorously noted the experience of adapting to life in space and introduced a symbolic companion, a toy swan named Joy, which serves as a "zero-G indicator" for the crew.
The mission also emphasizes international collaboration in space exploration, with contributions from NASA, ISRO, the European Space Agency (ESA), and SpaceX. With Shukla's journey, India marks a glorious chapter in its space history and solidifies its growing status in global space initiatives.
