India • Jun 26, 2025

'Like a baby learning to walk': Shubhanshu Shukla's space update

Shubhanshu Shukla just became the first Indian in 41 years to reach the International Space Station (ISS).
In a touching message, he thanked everyone for their support and said being in space feels like "a baby learning to walk."
His journey is part of an Axiom Space mission, launched on a SpaceX Falcon-9 rocket from Florida.

TL;DR

Shukla carries a swan soft toy

This marks India's first human spaceflight since 1982—a proud moment celebrated in India and abroad.
Shukla brought along a swan soft toy, symbolizing wisdom in Indian culture.
He's joined by an international crew: ex-NASA astronaut Peggy Whitson, Hungary's Tibor Kapu, and Poland's Slawosz Uznanski-Wisniewski—all working together on new research and pushing the boundaries of human spaceflight.