During a live session from orbit, Indian Air Force Group Captain Shubhanshu Shukla, mission pilot on the Axiom Mission 4 (Ax-4), shared his initial experience aboard the SpaceX Dragon spacecraft. He described the launch as “magical,” recalling the sensation of weightlessness. Shukla said, “I am thrilled to be here with my fellow astronauts—what a ride it was. Honestly, as I sat in the capsule ‘Grace’ on the launchpad yesterday after 30 days of quarantine, all I could think was: just go. When the launch finally happened, it was something else entirely. You’re pushed back into the seat—and then suddenly, there’s silence. You’re just floating in the vacuum, and it’s absolutely magical.” He expressed gratitude for the mission team’s efforts and highlighted the collective achievement of the journey. Referring to the swan mascot, he also mentioned its symbolism of wisdom and grace. The Ax-4 team, including astronauts from India, the United States, and the European Union, is set to dock with the International Space Station (ISS) and conduct experiments. Shukla’s mission marks a significant moment, following in the footsteps of Rakesh Sharma, the first Indian in space.
