In a historic and emotionally charged moment, Group Captain Shubhanshu Shukla, India’s second astronaut to reach space, shared a heartfelt embrace with Hungarian astronaut Tibor Kapu aboard the SpaceX Dragon capsule ‘Grace’ during the first live broadcast of the Axiom Mission 4 (Ax-4) from low Earth orbit.
The live session, streamed globally via Axiom Space and SpaceX’s official X (formerly Twitter) handles, offered the world a glimpse of camaraderie, emotion, and historic achievement as the crew connected with viewers for the first time since launching from NASA’s Kennedy Space Center.
🇮🇳 Shubhanshu Shukla: A Historic Leap for India
Shubhanshu Shukla, a Group Captain in the Indian Air Force and a native of Lucknow, Uttar Pradesh, made history as the first Indian to reach the International Space Station (ISS) — and only the second Indian in space after Wing Commander Rakesh Sharma, who flew on the Soviet Soyuz T-11 mission in 1984.
Shukla, serving as the Mission Pilot for Ax-4, joins a diverse and elite crew:
- Commander Peggy Whitson (USA),
- Mission Specialist Slawosz Uznanski-Wisniewski (Poland), and
- Mission Specialist Tibor Kapu (Hungary).
🤝 Emotions in Orbit: A Hug that Moved Millions
The live broadcast took an emotional turn when Hungarian astronaut Tibor Kapu became visibly overwhelmed during the crew’s address from orbit. Without hesitation, Shubhanshu stood up in the microgravity environment and offered him a warm, reassuring hug — a rare and touching moment of human connection in the boundless expanse of space.
This small gesture resonated deeply with viewers, showcasing the spirit of unity and compassion that transcends borders, even in orbit.
🚀 “Wow, What a Ride”: Shukla on His Journey to Space
Speaking during the transmission, Shukla described the launch as a surreal experience:
“Wow, what a ride it was. Frankly, when I was sitting in the capsule Grace yesterday on the launchpad, the only thought in my mind was — let’s just go. Excitement and all was very far away. There was just this feeling that let us just leave.”
The words offered an unfiltered look into the mindset of an astronaut moments before liftoff — a mix of anticipation, relief, and awe.
🛰️ India’s Return to Human Spaceflight
India’s return to spaceflight through a private international mission has reignited interest and pride in the nation’s scientific ambitions. With Gaganyaan, India’s indigenous human spaceflight program, still in development, Shukla’s participation in Ax-4 sets a promising precedent for future collaborations and missions.
This also marks India’s first participation in a commercial space mission to the ISS, reflecting its growing role in the global space community.
💬 Public Reactions
The internet erupted with pride and emotion following the broadcast. Social media platforms flooded with comments praising Shukla’s gesture, his composure, and his representation of India on an international stage.
“From Rakesh Sharma’s ‘Saare Jahan Se Accha’ to Shubhanshu’s quiet hug in space — Indian astronauts always leave a mark,” tweeted one user.
