Indian astronaut group Captain Shubhanshu Shukla gave his first welcome message from the International Space Station (ISS) on Thursday, 26 June 2025. He described it as a “moment of good luck” to represent India. Shubhanshu said soon after arriving at ISS as part of the Ex-4 mission, Shubhanshu said, “It is a privilege for me to see the earth from this point of view.” NASA’s Livestream showed that Mission Commander Pagi Whitson gave Shubhanshu a pin of Astronaut number 634, after which he gave this message.
39 -year -old Shubhanshu, who is from Lucknow, said, “You welcomed me so much after entering ISS and meeting this crew, as if you have opened the doors of your house to us.” He expressed confidence that the next 14 days would be “surprising”, where they would carry forward science and research. Shubhanshu is a Test pilot of the Indian Air Force and is the second Indian to go to space after Rakesh Sharma in 1984.
Shubhanshu’s parents, Shambhu Shukla and Asha Shukla, expressed pride and sentimentality while watching live broadcast in Lucknow. Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath also greeted him at his house. This mission is considered important in the preparation of India’s first indigenous human space mission Gaganyaan to be held in 2027.
