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Key Points

France celebrated India's milestone as Group Captain Shubhanshu Shukla became the second Indian to reach space aboard Axiom Mission 4. The French Embassy highlighted ongoing collaboration for India's Gaganyaan human spaceflight program. The international crew, including NASA veteran Peggy Whitson, will conduct 60 scientific studies during their 14-day ISS stay. The mission also debuts Axiom's next-gen spacesuit for future lunar exploration.

Key Points: France Hails Gp Capt Shukla as India Makes History With Axiom-4 Mission

  • Gp Capt Shukla pilots historic Axiom-4 mission to ISS
  • France collaborates on India's Gaganyaan program
  • Crew includes astronauts from US, Poland, Hungary
  • Mission conducts 60 scientific studies for 31 nations
2 min read

France congratulates India as Group Captain Shubhanshu Shukla makes history with Axiom-4 Mission

France congratulates India as Group Captain Shubhanshu Shukla pilots Axiom-4 to ISS, marking a milestone for Indian space exploration and Gaganyaan collaboration.

"Congratulations, India, as Gp Capt Shubhanshu Shukla becomes the first Indian to visit @ISS_Research! - French Embassy"

New Delhi, June 26

The French Embassy in India on Wednesday congratulated the country on a historic achievement, as Group Captain Shubhanshu Shukla embarked on a journey to the International Space Station as part of Axiom Mission 4.

Group Captain Shukla, an Indian Air Force officer, is part of the international crew aboard Axiom Mission 4, launched earlier in the day. His journey marks a historic milestone for India, as he is now the second Indian to go to space.

The embassy highlighted the collaboration between France and India on the Gaganyaan program, India's first human spaceflight mission.

"Congratulations, India, as Gp Capt Shubhanshu Shukla becomes the first Indian to visit @ISS_Research, piloting the historic Axiom Mission 4!" the French Embassy stated. "France is collaborating on Gaganyaan, India's first human spaceflight program, by contributing to scientific and medical preparations."

Earlier in the day, 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 (4 pm IST) on Thursday, June 26.

Once docked, the astronauts plan to spend up to 14 days aboard the orbiting laboratory, conducting a mission comprised of science, outreach, and commercial activities. Peggy Whitson, former NASA astronaut and director of human spaceflight at Axiom Space, is in command of the mission, while Indian Space Research Organisation Astronaut Group Captain Shubhanshu Shukla serves as pilot. The two mission specialists are European Space Agency project astronaut Slawosz Uznanski-Wisniewski of Poland and Tibor Kapu of Hungary.

The astronauts are using the new Axiom Extravehicular Mobility Unit (AxEMU) spacesuit, which provides them with advanced capabilities for space exploration while providing NASA with commercially developed human systems needed to access, live and work on and around the Moon

The Ax-4 mission is going to be conducting major research. The research complement includes around 60 scientific studies and activities representing 31 countries, including the US, India, Poland, Hungary, Saudi Arabia, Brazil, Nigeria, UAE, and nations across Europe.

- ANI

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Reader Comments

R
Rajesh K.
What a proud moment for India! 🇮🇳 Gp Capt Shukla's achievement shows how far our space program has come. The France-India collaboration on Gaganyaan is particularly exciting - we're becoming serious players in space exploration. Jai Hind!
P
Priya M.
While this is undoubtedly a great achievement, I hope ISRO focuses equally on solving Earth-bound problems too. We have so many challenges here - from clean water to healthcare. Space is important, but let's not forget our ground realities.
A
Amit S.
France has been a reliable partner for India in defense and now space! This collaboration is strategic and shows how India is gaining global recognition in advanced technologies. The 60 scientific studies from 31 countries is impressive - truly global cooperation.
N
Neha P.
As someone working in STEM, this news gives me goosebumps! 🚀 More young Indians will now dream of becoming astronauts. Hope ISRO starts astronaut training programs for civilians too in the future. The new spacesuit tech sounds fascinating!
V
Vikram J.
Interesting that this is a private mission (Axiom) rather than a government one. Shows how space is becoming commercialized. Hope Indian private companies like Skyroot can also send astronauts soon. The future is exciting!
S
Sunita R.
The international crew composition is heartwarming - India, Poland, Hungary working together in space. In times when Earth is divided, space exploration unites humanity. Best wishes to Gp Capt Shukla for safe return and successful mission!

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