New Delhi, June 25: IAF Group Captain Shubhanshu Shukla has embarked on a groundbreaking mission to become the first Indian to reach the International Space Station (ISS), marking a significant milestone in India's human spaceflight program.

After a gap of 41 years, India is set to have its astronaut in space again. Shukla follows in the footsteps of Rakesh Sharma, who flew in 1984.

"This journey is not just mine; I carry the Indian flag with pride, representing India's human spaceflight endeavor," Shukla stated during the flight.

According to Axiom Space, the mission, organized in partnership with NASA and SpaceX, announced, "Liftoff for #Ax4. The #Ax4 crew is en route to the space station."

SpaceX also confirmed the launch with the message, "Liftoff of Ax-4!"

The launch took place at 2:31 a.m. EDT (noon IST) from NASA’s Kennedy Space Center in Florida, utilizing a new SpaceX Dragon spacecraft atop a Falcon 9 rocket.

This launch was delayed multiple times, with at least six postponements prior to the successful takeoff.

Shukla expressed his excitement on X, stating, "India is returning to space, Jai Hind," and added, "After 41 years, India's flag will once again fly in space."

In a heartfelt message to his wife, Shukla wrote, "Special thanks to Kamna for being the wonderful partner that you are. Without you, none of this was possible, and more importantly, none of this would matter," sharing a poignant farewell photo taken through a glass wall.

He also extended his gratitude to everyone involved in the mission for their unwavering support.

Shukla is serving as the pilot for this mission, alongside Commander Peggy Whitson from the US. The crew also includes Slawosz Uznanski-Wisniewski from Poland and Tibor Kapu from Hungary, both of whom are mission specialists.

Once aboard the ISS, Shukla will engage in groundbreaking research focused on food and space nutrition, investigating the impacts of microgravity and space radiation on edible microalgae, a promising food source for future space expeditions.