New Delhi, Jun 25 (PTI) The Congress on Wednesday hailed the successful launch of Axiom-4 space mission carrying Indian astronaut Shubhanshu Shukla and said the nation is proud of the achievement.
鈥溾楾ouch the Sky with Glory鈥. We welcome the successful launch of the space mission carrying astronauts from India, Hungary, Poland, and the US,鈥 Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge said in a post on X.
He said after Squadron Leader Rakesh Sharma in 1984, Group Captain Shukla is now en route to becoming the second Indian to travel to space after 41 years.
鈥淲e pray for his successful mission. The entire nation is proud of this achievement,鈥 he said.
In a post on X, Congress leader Rahul Gandhi said, 鈥淎 proud moment for every Indian as Group Captain Shubhanshu Shukla launches off on his journey to the International Space Station.鈥 鈥41 years after Squadron Leader Rakesh Sharma became the first Indian in space, he now carries forward that legacy, inspiring every Indian,鈥 he said, wishing him and the team a safe and successful return.
The Congress, on its official X handle also said, 鈥淗istoric moment! Congratulations to Group Captain Shubhanshu Shukla and the international crew on their successful space mission launch!鈥.
鈥淔ollowing Squadron Leader Rakesh Sharma鈥檚 pioneering journey in 1984, Shubhanshu Shukla is the second Indian to travel to space after 41 years. We鈥檙e incredibly proud of him, representing India鈥檚 growing presence in space exploration! Wishing them a safe and successful journey to the cosmos!,鈥 the Congress said.
Shukla scripted history by embarking on a space odyssey along with three others to the International Space Station as part of a commercial mission by Axiom Space on Wednesday.
The much-delayed Axiom-4 mission blasted off from the Kennedy Space Centre in Florida at 12:01 pm IST towards the ISS amid cheers from watch parties organised across the world, including at Shukla鈥檚 City Montessori School in Lucknow where his parents witnessed the historic launch.
Lucknow-born Shukla became the first Indian astronaut to travel to the International Space Station, a journey that comes 41 years after Rakesh Sharma鈥檚 eight days in orbit as part of the then Soviet Union鈥檚 Salyut-7 space station in 1984. PTI SKC ZMN