As the Axiom-4 mission soared into space, the family of Indian astronaut Shubhanshu Shukla celebrated the launch with heartfelt emotion in Lucknow. His parents, Shambhu Dayal Shukla and Asha Shukla, were moved to tears as they watched the live broadcast of the launch. The mission, carrying IAF Group Captain Shubhanshu Shukla, lifted off from Launch Complex 39A at NASA’s Kennedy Space Centre in Florida at 12:01 PM (IST).
Shambhu Shukla expressed profound happiness, attributing the achievement to God’s blessings. Asha Shukla, overcome with emotion, described the family’s collective joy. Union Minister Dr. Jitendra Singh, observing the launch from Delhi, emphasized the mission’s importance for India’s Human Space Programme, framing it as a stride towards a ‘Viksit Bharat’.
Previously, Shubhanshu Shukla’s father shared that his son’s accomplishment was a source of immense pride for Lucknow and the entire country. He conveyed his blessings, prayers for the mission’s success, and acknowledged the honor his son brought to the family. The Ax-4 mission is a collaboration involving India, Poland, and Hungary, marking a historic first for each nation to the ISS. The mission features approximately 60 scientific studies involving 31 countries, positioning it as a significant research endeavor on an Axiom Space mission aboard the ISS.