"Proud moment for India, inspiration for youth across world," Union Minister Dr Jitendra Singh greets Group Captain Shubhanshu Shukla on Axiom-4 liftoff success

Jun 25, 2025

NEW DELHI: After the Axiom 4 mission to the International Space Station successfully lifted off from NASA's Kennedy Space Centre in Florida, US, Union Minister Dr Jitendra Singh on Wednesday extended his congratulations to the mission pilot Group Captain Shubhanshu Shukla.

Taking to 'X', Dr Jitendra Singh posted his congratulatory message for Shukla and mentioned that Indian space agency ISRO's growing collaborations are the result of reforms introduced by the Government of India headed by Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

"Congratulations Group Captain Shubhanshu Shukla you are the first Indian Astronaut set to embark on a mission to the International Space Station. Indeed a proud moment for India! #ISRO's growing global collaborations, after the reforms introduced by the government headed by PM Narendra Modi, have placed India as a frontline nation in Space exploration", the 'X' post read.

Union Minister was joined by Australian High Commissioner to India Philip Green, Frances Adamson AC, Governor of South Australia, and others who celebrated the moment by distributing sweets at the Anusandhan Bhawan in the national capital..

The Axiom Mission 4 launched aboard a SpaceX Dragon spacecraft from Launch Complex 39A at NASA's Kennedy Space Centre in Florida at 2:31 am Eastern Time (12 Noon IST).

This is the fourth private astronaut mission to the International Space Station. The crew is travelling to the orbiting laboratory on a new SpaceX Dragon spacecraft. The targeted docking time is approximately 7 am Eastern Time (4pm IST) on Thursday, June 26.