A private American mission to the International Space Station (ISS) launched on Wednesday from Cape Canaveral, Florida, carrying four astronauts, including the first Indian astronaut to fly to the orbiting outpost, reflecting the Asian giant's space ambitions.
The SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket launched with the four astronauts, including a Hungarian, a Polish, and an American, inside the Crew Dragon capsule at 6:31 GMT, as part of a private American mission called Axiom 4.
The reusable first stage of the Falcon 9 rocket landed successfully in its designated landing zone shortly after.
The astronauts are expected to arrive at the station on Thursday around 11:00 GMT, and their mission will last 14 days.
Indian astronaut Shubhanshu Shukla will lead the mission, alongside Polish astronaut Sławosz Osnański-Wisniewski, Hungarian astronaut Tibor Kabo, and American astronaut Peggy Whitson, a former NASA astronaut who now works for Axiom Space, a US company that provides services including private spaceflights.
During this stay, the crew will conduct around 60 scientific experiments, including on microscopic algae and tardigrades, microscopic organisms known for their remarkable ability to survive in harsh conditions.
The last spaceflights by India, Poland, or Hungary were more than 40 years ago.
This mission represents a significant advance in New Delhi's space ambitions.
Science and Technology Minister Jitendra Singh said it would be "a proud moment for India!" He praised Shukla, emphasizing that India is "a nation at the forefront of space exploration."
The Indian Air Force said, "This is more than just a mission; it is an affirmation of India's ever-expanding horizons."
"I carry with me not just instruments and equipment, but also the hopes and dreams of a billion hearts," Indian Shubhanshu Shukla said at a recent press conference.
The 39-year-old astronaut is expected to make history for his country by becoming the first Indian to visit the International Space Station (ISS) and the second to reach orbit after Rakesh Sharma, who visited the Soviet space station Salyut 7 in 1984.
Shukla's participation in the Axiom mission represents a significant advance in the Prime Minister's vision for India to achieve by 2027.
Once at the ISS, Shukla is expected to meet a "significant figure," Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, according to Indian media.
The three countries are funding their astronauts' missions. Hungary announced in 2022 that it had paid the $100 million ticket price for its astronaut, while India and Poland have not disclosed the amount spent on their astronauts' participation in the mission, a source of pride and an extension of national soft power.
According to Indian media, New Delhi spent more than $60 million.
Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk wrote on Twitter: "We did it! Poland has reached new heights." He accompanied his post with a video of himself watching the launch on a screen at the Copernicus Science Center in Warsaw.
Prime Minister Viktor Orbán wrote on Facebook: "Once again, a Hungarian astronaut is participating in a space flight. A great honor! Good luck to Tibor Kapo!"
This mission follows the major dispute in early June between Donald Trump and Elon Musk, with the billionaire threatening to decommission the Crew Dragon capsule before backing down.
This capsule is used by Axiom and also plays an important role for NASA, as it is the only American vehicle certified to date to transport astronauts to the International Space Station.
The dispute between the two men highlighted the close ties between the US government and this private space company, as NASA and the Pentagon rely heavily on SpaceX rockets and vehicles to launch crews, payloads, and satellites into space.
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