Ax-4 Crew Shares First Experiences in Space: Shukla Calls Launch ‘Magical’

The Axiom Mission 4 (Ax-4) crew shared their initial in-flight update from orbit aboard the SpaceX Dragon spacecraft. Group Captain Shubhanshu Shukla, the mission pilot, described the launch as “magical.” He reflected on his experience of weightlessness. He described his experience in the capsule and then in space. He thanked the mission team. The crew also includes astronauts representing India, the United States, and the European Union. The team’s primary mission is to dock with the International Space Station (ISS). Shukla’s mission is a proud moment for India, recalling the pioneering space journey of Rakesh Sharma. Shukla shared a message to the nation from space, expressing pride and promoting India’s Human Space Programme. The Ax-4 mission involves experiments, including studies on muscle regeneration, the growth of edible microalgae, the survival of aquatic microorganisms, and how humans interact with digital displays in microgravity.