New Delhi: In a landmark moment for India’s space program, Group Captain Shubhanshu Shukla has become the second Indian to journey into space—41 years after Wing Commander Rakesh Sharma made history in 1984. Shukla launched aboard a SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket as part of the Axiom-4 mission from NASA’s Kennedy Space Center in Florida on Tuesday.

The launch took place at 12:01 PM IST from the iconic Launch Complex 39A, the same site that once sent Apollo 11 to the Moon. A brief delay caused by a glitch in uploading wind data was quickly resolved, allowing for a smooth and successful liftoff.

At 39, Shukla, a seasoned Indian Air Force fighter pilot, now heads to the International Space Station (ISS). Docking is expected around 4:30 PM IST on June 26. His mission—named “Mission Akash Ganga”—is a result of a commercial agreement between Axiom Space and NASA, following the 2023 Indo-US joint statement during Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s visit to Washington. ISRO selected Shukla to represent India in this collaborative space venture, reinforcing India’s growing ties with NASA.

Back in India, emotions ran high. In Lucknow, Shukla’s mother, Asha Shukla, watched the launch with folded hands and tears of pride. Earlier that day, she had performed a traditional ritual and virtually offered her son curd and sugar (dahi-cheeni) for good luck. His father, Shambhu Dayal Shukla, expressed immense pride, calling it a dream come true for both their family and the nation.

Shukla is accompanied by three fellow astronauts: Commander Peggy Whitson (USA), mission specialist Slawosz Uznanski-Wisniewski (Poland), and Tibor Kapu (Hungary). During their two-week stay on the ISS, the crew will carry out 60 scientific experiments, including seven proposed by Indian researchers. Shukla is also expected to engage in educational outreach from space and may interact with a prominent Indian personality during the mission.

The mission's success follows several postponements due to weather and technical issues, including a suspected oxidizer leak. June 25 marked the sixth scheduled launch attempt. The Falcon 9 rocket, developed by Elon Musk’s SpaceX, boasts a strong track record of safety with 16 previous successful crewed missions. Its reusable design also highlights cost-effective innovation in modern space travel.

India reportedly invested ₹550 crore to secure Shukla’s seat on this mission. But beyond the financial cost, the mission is a symbolic leap forward. It represents India’s readiness for deeper participation in global space exploration, especially as the nation prepares for its own human spaceflight program—Gaganyaan, scheduled for 2026.

Group Captain Shukla’s journey evokes the national pride once sparked by Rakesh Sharma’s famous “Saare Jahan Se Accha” moment. It is not just a personal achievement, but a powerful inspiration for the next generation of Indian scientists, engineers, and dreamers.