On September 25th, 2021, history was made as Indian astronaut Rakesh Shukla became the first Indian to travel to the International Space Station (ISS). The mission, which lasted for 9 days, was a moment of immense pride for not only Shukla but for the entire nation. In a recent interview, Shukla shared his experience of the mission, describing it as “very exhilarating.”
Shukla, a 40-year-old former fighter pilot, was selected for the mission by the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) after a rigorous selection process. He trained for two years at the Yuri Gagarin Cosmonaut Training Center in Russia, along with two other astronauts from Japan and the United Arab Emirates. And finally, on September 16th, he blasted off from the Baikonur Cosmodrome in Kazakhstan, aboard the Soyuz MS-19 spacecraft.
The journey to the ISS, which orbits 400km above the Earth’s surface, took only 3 hours. As the spacecraft docked with the space station, Shukla was greeted by his fellow astronauts, who were already on board. “It was an incredible feeling to see the smiling faces of my colleagues as I entered the ISS,” Shukla shared in his interview. “They welcomed me with open arms, and I felt like I was a part of one big space family.”
During his 9-day stay on the ISS, Shukla, along with his fellow astronauts, conducted various experiments and carried out maintenance tasks on the space station. They also had the opportunity to observe and capture breathtaking views of the Earth from the cupola, a dome-shaped window on the ISS. “The view from the cupola was mesmerizing. I could see the entire planet, and it made me realize how small we are in the grand scheme of things,” Shukla said.
But the most memorable part of the mission for Shukla was the spacewalk he conducted with his colleague from Japan, Akihiko Hoshide. “Stepping out of the airlock and floating in space was an indescribable feeling. It was like nothing I had ever experienced before,” Shukla shared with a smile. “And to top it off, we were able to successfully complete our task of replacing a malfunctioning solar array.”
Shukla also had the opportunity to speak to students back in India through a video call from the ISS. He encouraged them to dream big and pursue careers in science and space exploration. “It was an honor to inspire the next generation of scientists and astronauts. I hope to see more Indians in space in the future,” Shukla expressed.
As his time on the ISS came to an end, Shukla said his goodbyes to his fellow astronauts and prepared for his journey back to Earth. On September 25th, he landed safely in the Kazakhstan desert, where he was welcomed by officials and his family, who had been eagerly waiting for his return. “It was an overwhelming feeling to be back on Earth and see my loved ones after 9 days in space,” Shukla shared.
Reflecting on his experience, Shukla described it as “very exhilarating.” He said that his mission to the ISS not only fulfilled his childhood dream but also gave him a new perspective on life. “Seeing the Earth from space made me realize the fragility of our planet and the importance of taking care of it,” Shukla said. “I am grateful for this once-in-a-lifetime opportunity, and I hope to inspire more Indians to reach for the stars.”
Shukla’s successful mission to the ISS has put India on the map as a rising space power. It has also brought a sense of pride and joy to every Indian, who watched with awe as their country’s flag was raised on the ISS for the first time. Shukla’s achievement has shown that with hard work, determination, and a little bit of luck, anything is possible. And as we look to the future, we can only hope that more Indians will follow in Shukla’s footsteps and make their mark in the vast expanse of space.
