Group Captain Shubhanshu Shukla, India’s pioneering astronaut aboard the International Space Station (ISS) as part of Axiom Mission 4, has described his journey as “a wonderful ride,” expressing profound awe at seeing Earth from orbit. Docked on June 26 via SpaceX’s Dragon capsule, Shukla became the 634th astronaut in space and the second Indian to reach the ISS. As he crossed the hatch, he was welcomed warmly by the Expedition‑73 crew, a gesture that left him deeply moved and exceeded all his expectations.

Shukla was visibly struck by the planet’s beauty, describing it as a privilege to witness Earth from such a vantage point. He particularly mentioned how the views of continents and city lights, floating in microgravity and seeing the seamless unity of Earth from space, brought home the fragility and interconnectedness of our world. His reflections echo those of his predecessors, who spoke about a profound shift in perspective—the so-called “overview effect”—that often comes from gazing at our blue planet from space.

Beyond the visual spectacle, he also pointed to the camaraderie aboard the international station. Cultural exchanges included sharing traditional Indian dishes—mango pulp, gajar ka halwa, and moong dal halwa—with his crew members, who embraced the flavours of home. These moments underscored the unity found in space exploration, transcending national boundaries in favour of shared human experience.

Shukla’s emotional message to his countrymen was heartfelt. He acknowledged the physical challenges of adapting to life in orbit—such as head pressure in microgravity—but assured that he was adjusting steadily. Floating into his assignment on the ISS, he spoke of the responsibility he feels carrying the Indian tricolour and the support of 1.4 billion citizens. He pledged to make the next fourteen days “amazing,” focusing on scientific experiments, technology demonstrations, and outreach, all while carrying India’s aspirations into space.

Group Captain Shukla’s mission is also a demonstration of international coordination. Developed in collaboration with ISRO, NASA, ESA and private partner Axiom Space, the Axiom‐4 mission underscores the growing role of commercial space in broadening access to low-Earth orbit. It also aligns with India’s emergence as an active participant in global space exploration ahead of its homegrown Gaganyaan mission.

As the world watches, Shukla’s journey symbolizes a new chapter for India—one that combines tradition with technology, national pride with global collaboration. His words from space—”It has been a wonderful ride”—capture not only the thrill of human exploration, but also the promise of a future where India charts its own course among the stars.