Axiom 4 Mission / I am sleeping a lot... Shubhanshu Shukla's greetings came from space, Video

Indian astronaut Shubhanshu Shukla spent the first night in space under the Axiom-4 mission and sent a video message from there. He said, "Hello from space!" Shukla described this experience as a "wonderful ride". He also took the cultural image of India along with a symbolic soft toy like a swan.

Axiom 4 Mission: A new chapter has been added to the history of Indian space science. Indian astronaut Shubhanshu Shukla has successfully spent his first night in space. Shukla, who arrived at the International Space Station (ISS) under the Axiom-4 mission, sent a video message on Thursday morning to the whole country saying "Hello from space". There is a wave of excitement across India about this historic moment.

First message from space: "It was a great ride"

Smiling in the video message, Shubhanshu Shukla said, "I am learning to walk in space and eat and drink like a child. I am sleeping a lot. This is a small step, but it is a steady and solid step towards India's human space program." Shukla described this experience as a "great ride" and said that going to space after 30 days of quarantine was a thrilling experience for him.

He further said, "I want to thank every person who has been a part of this mission. This is not my success alone, the contribution of my family and friends is also included in it."

'Symbol of knowledge' - Hans was seen with him

A special scene in the video caught everyone's attention - a small soft toy 'Hans' was seen with Shubhanshu Shukla. He said, "In Indian culture, Hans is a symbol of knowledge. This toy reminds me that I am here not only for science, but with an understanding of culture and tradition."

Tricolour and feeling of Indianness

Shukla also shared that during the training of the space station, he had the Indian tricolour on his shoulder. He said, "That tricolour made me realise that I am not alone, there are 140 crore Indians with me who are a part of my journey."

India again in space after 41 years

This flight of Shubhanshu Shukla is historic for India, as it is India's next major human space achievement 41 years after Rakesh Sharma went to space in 1984. In another message sent an hour after the launch, Shukla said, "We are orbiting the Earth at a speed of 7.5 km per second. My dear countrymen, we have reached space after 41 years. It was a wonderful journey."