Group Captain Shubhanshu Shukla

‘s first reaction from space. About 10 minutes into the flight, and about a minute after the Dragon Capsule, which has now been named “Grace”, separated, Shukla addressed India in Hindi.

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“What a ride! Namaskar mere pyare deshvasiyon. We’ve returned to space after 40 years and it was a fantastic ride. Right now, we are orbiting Earth at a velocity of about 7.5km/sec,” he said.

“…I have my Tricolour on my shoulder which tells me that I am not alone and that I am with all of you. This is not the beginning of my journey to the ISS but the beginning of India’s

human spaceflight programme

. I want all Indians to be part of this journey.

All your chests must swell in pride and must be as excited. Let’s begin India’s human spaceflight journey together. Jai Hind. Jai Bharat,” he said.

Before Shukla,

Axiom-4 mission

commander

Peggy Whitson

spoke. “Nominal orbital insertion and we had an incredible ride uphill and now we set our course for the ISS aboard the newest member of the Dragon fleet, our spacecraft named ‘Grace’,” Whitson announced.

“Grace is more than a name.

It reflects the elegance with which we move through space against the backdrop of Earth. It speaks to the refinement of our mission, the harmony of science and spirit and the unmerited favour we carry with humility. Grace reminds us that spaceflight is not just a feat of engineering but an act of goodwill,” she said.

The other two astronauts also spoke from Grace in their native languages. Ahead of the launch, Shukla had said: “No one travels to space alone..

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. we do so on the shoulders of so many more. I feel grateful to each and every one of you. Thank you… A big thank you to family and friends who have been my bedrock in this journey. Sometimes your close ones make sacrifices that you do not even fully understand but they do so out of their love for you.”

Shukla specially thanked his wife Kamna for being the wonderful partner that she was and said, “Without you none of this was ever possible but more importantly none of this would matter.”

Kamna had given a message to Shukla in an exclusive interview to TOI. “As you go on this incredible journey, I am extremely proud of you. You’re not just reaching for the stars, you are inspiring so many of us back home. Just shine bright and do your duty to your best, as you always do.”

Family and friends of Shukla and other crew members all shared their messages with the astronauts ahead of the launch. Shukla’s school, CMS Lucknow, too had sent a special message.