‘Learning Like a Child’— Astronaut Shubhanshu Shukla Sends First Video Message from Space on Axiom-4 Mission

Indian astronaut Shubhanshu Shukla has spent his first night in space, and now his live video message from orbit has been released. Shukla has traveled to space as part of the Axiom-4 mission. Upon reaching orbit, he smiled and greeted everyone with a warm message: “Namaskar from space!”

“Learning Like a Child” in Space

In the live video message, Shukla shared his early experiences aboard the spacecraft, saying:

“Walking around and eating in space – I’m learning like a child. And yes, I’ve been sleeping a lot!”
He added that while this may seem like a small step, it is actually a steady and solid one in India’s human spaceflight program.

“What a Fun Ride!” – Shukla Reflects on the Journey

Expressing his excitement, Shukla said he looks forward to spending time aboard the International Space Station (ISS) and sharing his experiences with the world. Reflecting on the 30-day quarantine before launch, he said: “What a fun ride this was! After 30 days of quarantine, all I wanted was to get to space. It truly was an amazing journey.”

He extended heartfelt gratitude to those who supported him: “This success isn’t mine alone. My family and friends have supported me tremendously, and I thank every single person who’s been a part of this.”

Adorable Soft Toy Accompanies Shukla in Space

A soft toy swan can be seen floating beside Shukla in the video. Speaking about it, he said: “In Indian culture, the swan is a symbol of wisdom.” He also mentioned enjoying the breathtaking views from space and learning how to adapt to the zero-gravity environment.

India Returns to Space After 41 Years

Shukla shared an emotional moment from his ISS training, recalling: “When I draped the Indian tricolour over my shoulder, I was reminded that I’m not alone on this journey — all Indians are with me.”

About the Mission

The mission was launched on Wednesday, 25 June 2025. About an hour after entering orbit, Shukla sent his first live video message, stating that he and his crew were orbiting Earth at a speed of 7.5 kilometers per second. Just 10 minutes into the flight, he addressed the nation with emotion and pride: “Namaskar, my beloved fellow citizens. We’ve reached space after 41 years. It’s been an incredible journey.”