The Axiom Mission 4 (Ax-4) crew shared their first in-flight update from orbit early Wednesday, offering a glimpse into life aboard the SpaceX Dragon spacecraft as they journey to the International Space Station (ISS).
Axiom Space said on X: “Tune in LIVE with the #Ax4 crew for their FIRST in-flight event at 01:47 AM EDT.”
SpaceX also confirmed the update: “First opportunity to talk live with the Ax-4 crew on-orbit will be in roughly 15 minutes at ~1:47 a.m. ET this morning.”
During the live session, Indian Air Force Group Captain Shubhanshu Shukla, serving as the mission pilot, described the launch as “magical” and reflected on the emotional build-up to liftoff.
“I’m thrilled to be here with my fellow astronauts—what a ride it was. Honestly, as I sat in the capsule ‘Grace’ on the launchpad yesterday, after 30 days of quarantine, all I could think was: just go. When the launch finally happened, it was something else entirely. You’re pushed back into your seat—and then suddenly, there’s silence. You’re just floating in the vacuum. It’s absolutely magical,” he said.
Group Captain Shukla expressed deep gratitude to the mission team, calling the experience a “collective achievement.”
“I truly appreciate the efforts of every individual who made this journey possible. It’s not just a personal accomplishment—it belongs to all of us.”
He also spoke about the swan mascot aboard the Dragon capsule: “This swan symbolises wisdom and grace. It may seem like a coincidence, but to me, it carries deeper meaning—serenity, strength, and purpose.”
Recalling the moments before launch, he added: “We were in the capsule for nearly three hours, and while that wait can feel long, the moment of liftoff was unlike anything we imagined. We trained for months for those few minutes and seconds. I’m just grateful to finally live that moment.”
Mission Specialist Slawosz Uznanski-Wisniewski spoke about the joy of the experience: “We had so much fun, so much joy. Every time I look at our mascot ‘Joy,’ I think about the future and how far we’ve come.”
Fellow Mission Specialist Tibor Kapu highlighted the diversity of the Ax-4 team: “The four of us represent a significant portion of the planet—three continents and four countries, including India, the United States, and the European Union. Together, we stand for about 20–30% of the world’s population. When we look out the window, we see all of you. We’re proud to represent you in space.”
Veteran astronaut Peggy Whitson added: “It’s been a fantastic experience so far. We have so many people cheering us on from Earth, and we’re excited for the mission ahead.”
The SpaceX Dragon spacecraft launched from NASA’s Kennedy Space Center at noon IST on Wednesday, carrying Shukla, Whitson, Uznanski-Wisniewski, and Kapu. The capsule is scheduled to dock with the ISS’s Harmony module at 4:30 PM IST today.
NASA Flight Engineers Anne McClain and Nichole Ayers are monitoring Dragon’s automated approach and docking manoeuvres. Upon arrival, the Ax-4 crew will be welcomed by the Expedition 73 team and will take part in a mandatory safety briefing.
This mission holds special significance for Group Captain Shukla, who becomes the second Indian in space, following in the footsteps of Wing Commander Rakesh Sharma, who flew aboard the Soviet spacecraft Soyuz T-11 in 1984.
From orbit, Shukla delivered a heartfelt message to the nation: “Namaskar, my dear countrymen, what a ride. We are back in space after 41 years. We are orbiting the Earth at a speed of 7.5 kilometres per second. The Tiranga on my shoulder reminds me that I am with all of you. This journey isn’t just about reaching the International Space Station—it’s about kickstarting India’s Human Space Programme. I invite all of you to be part of this mission. Let your hearts swell with pride. Jai Hind! Jai Bharat!”
The Ax-4 crew will remain aboard the ISS for up to 14 days, conducting scientific experiments, participating in educational outreach, and engaging in commercial activities.
This marks Axiom Space’s most research-intensive mission to date, with collaborative experiments between NASA and the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) focusing on muscle regeneration, growth of edible microalgae, survival of aquatic microorganisms and human interaction with digital displays in microgravity
Axiom’s first private astronaut mission, Ax-1, launched in April 2022 and lasted 17 days.
(With inputs from ANI)
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