Indian Air Force Group Captain Subhanshu Shukla becomes part of the historic Axiom-04 mission to the International Space Station; the first Indian in space since Rakesh Sharma in 1984
25 June 2025, New Delhi
After a long wait of over four decades, India has once again marked its presence in outer space. Group Captain Subhanshu Shukla of the Indian Air Force has embarked on a historic journey to the International Space Station (ISS) as part of the Axiom-04 mission, a collaborative venture between NASA, ISRO, and SpaceX.
The launch took place aboard SpaceX’s Dragon spacecraft, which lifted off smoothly with four international astronauts on board. Shortly after entering space, Subhanshu sent an emotional message to the people of India: “Greetings, my beloved fellow Indians. After many years, we are once again in space. It’s been an incredible ride. The Indian Tricolour is on my shoulder. Jai Hind, Jai Bharat.”
His words struck a deep chord across the nation, evoking pride, joy, and a renewed sense of aspiration.
‘Yun Hi Chala Chal Rahi’ — A Song of Inspiration in Space
Another moment that captured public imagination was Subhanshu’s choice of song during the launch. As the spacecraft prepared for liftoff, he played the soulful and inspiring track “Yun Hi Chala Chal Rahi” from Shah Rukh Khan’s film Swades (2004).
Composed by A.R. Rahman and penned by Javed Akhtar, the song—performed by Udit Narayan, Kailash Kher, and Hariharan—mirrored the spirit of Subhanshu’s journey and resonated with millions back home, especially the youth.
Playlists of Other Axiom-04 Astronauts Also Revealed
The other three astronauts on board the mission also shared their personal song choices:
- Peggy Whitson (Commander, USA) – Thunder by Imagine Dragons
- Slavosh Uznański-Wiśniewski (Poland) – Supermose
- Tibor Kapu (Hungary) – Búvóhely
The Dragon spacecraft is expected to dock with the ISS on Thursday at 4 PM (US time) / 7 AM IST.
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A Historic Return to Space for India
Subhanshu Shukla is the first Indian to travel to space since Wing Commander Rakesh Sharma in 1984, ending a 41-year-long wait. A key member of ISRO’s Gaganyaan programme, Subhanshu underwent intensive training at Russia’s Yuri Gagarin Cosmonaut Training Centre in preparation for this milestone.
More Than a Mission – A New Era for India
This is not just another space mission—it is the beginning of a new chapter in India’s space journey. Subhanshu’s flight represents national pride, growing scientific ambition, and the dreams of a billion people soaring alongside the Indian flag.