“‘Gravity Took Over’: Shukla Reflects on Powerful Launch Experience”
Historic Moment: ShuklaIndian Air Force Group Captain Shubhanshu Shukla, along with his crewmates — veteran NASA astronaut and mission commander Peggy Whitson, Polish engineer Sławosz Uznański, and The crew, now en route to the International Space Station (ISS), marks a significant milestone in international collaboration in space exploration.
The photo, shared by SpaceX on X (formerly Twitter), captures the moment of calm after launch, with the crew poised for the next phase of their mission.
On Thursday, June 26, 2025, Astronaut Shubhanshu Shukla offered a glimpse into his transformative first days in space aboard the SpaceX Dragon spacecraft. As the capsule orbited Earth en route to the International Space Station (ISS), Shukla described the microgravity environment as both humbling and exhilarating, saying he was “learning to live like a baby.”
Floating freely in the vacuum of space, he called the experience nothing short of amazing, reflecting the wonder and adjustment that comes with human spaceflight.His reflections highlight the human side of space exploration, as astronauts adjust to entirely new physical realities beyond our planet.
Before reaching the International Space Station (ISS) aboard the SpaceX Dragon spacecraft, Astronaut Shubhanshu Shukla greeted the world with a heartfelt “Namaskar from space.” Sharing his thoughts via videolink, Shukla reflected on his emotional state ahead of the Axiom-4 mission launch on Wednesday, after spending 30 days in quarantine away from the buzz of mission preparations.
“The only thought in my mind was — let us just go,” he said, capturing the eagerness and anticipation leading up to liftoff.
Historic Moment: Shukla, His message from orbit marks a proud and personal moment in India’s growing presence in space exploration. Astronaut Shubhanshu Shukla, along with three international crewmates, lifted off from NASA’s Kennedy Space Center in Florida aboard the SpaceX Dragon spacecraft, propelled by the Falcon 9 rocket.
The mission marks the beginning of a 14-day stay at the International Space Station (ISS), where the team will engage in research, outreach, and collaborative space operations. The successful launch is part of the Axiom-4 mission, symbolizing growing global cooperation in human spaceflight.
As the Axiom-4 commercial mission astronauts prepared to dock with the International Space Station (ISS) at 4:30 p.m. on Thursday, Group Captain Shubhanshu Shukla reflected on the powerful emotions surrounding the launch. From the confines of 30 days in quarantine to the moment of liftoff, Shukla described a surge of determination and anticipation.
“The only thought in my mind was — let us just go,” he said, recalling the seconds before launch aboard the Dragon spacecraft. Recalling his final moments on Earth from inside the Dragon capsule “Grace”, Shukla said, “Wow, what a ride it was.”
After spending 30 days in quarantine, he admitted that excitement took a back seat to a deep desire to finally lift off. “The only thought in my mind was — let us just go… I just wanted to leave,” he shared, capturing the mix of anticipation and determination fueling the historic mission.
Aboard the newly christened Dragon spacecraft “Grace”, the astronauts of the Axiom-4 mission brought along a special fifth “crew member” — “Joy,” a toy swan serving as the zero gravity indicator.
Historic Moment: Shukla, Sharing his early impressions from space, Group Captain Shubhanshu Shukla described the powerful sensation of launch, saying he felt like being pushed back into his seat as gravitational forces took hold. The naming of Grace and Joy reflects the crew’s personal touch on this historic journey, blending scientific pursuit with a sense of wonder and humanity.
Reflecting on his first hours in space, Astronaut Shubhanshu Shukla described the launch aboard the Dragon spacecraft as both intense and surreal. Everything was silent and you were just floating,” he said, recalling the moment the spacecraft entered the vacuum of space.
Though the initial transition felt disorienting, Shukla soon found it to be an “amazing feeling.”
In a lighthearted note, he shared that his crewmates have been teasing him for sleeping a lot since the launch on Wednesday, as the team adjusts to life in microgravity. The experience, he said, is unlike anything on Earth — a mix of awe, silence, and adaptation.
Settling into life aboard the Dragon spacecraft, Astronaut Shubhanshu Shukla shared his excitement and humility as he adapts to the challenges of space. “I am learning like a baby — how to walk, how to control myself, how to eat. It’s just so exciting,” he said, speaking about his first experience in microgravity.
Describing the unique environment as both a challenge and a joy, Shukla added, “It’s good to make mistakes, but it’s better to see somebody else do that too,From breathtaking views to daily adjustments, he said he’s truly enjoying the experience with his fellow astronauts.