• Source:JND
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IAF Group Captain Shubhanshu Shukla, who created history by becoming the first Indian to reach the International Space Station (ISS), in a first message from the orbit, described the experience as pleasant but added he has been learning the space nuances like a child. "Namaskar from space," Astronaut Shukla said as he greeted from the Dragon spacecraft on Thursday. "Learning like a baby... how to walk and eat in space. This is a small step, but steady and solid step towards India's human space programme," he said. "But I’m really enjoying every moment," said Shukla breaking into laughter as he revealed that he has been "sleeping a lot."

As he zoomed into space on board the SpaceX Falcon 9-rocket on Wednesday, Shuka gave wing to the hopes of an entire nation - and realised his own dream that likely first took shape when he attended an air show as a child. The 39-year-old, who propelled himself into history as the first Indian on the International Space Station and only the second to go into space after Rakesh Sharma in 1984, has more than 2,000 hours of flying experience on a wide range of fighter jets over a decade-long career in the Indian Air Force.

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WATCH: Full conversation of astronauts from orbit

"Hello everyone, namaskar from space. I am thrilled to be here with my fellow astronauts. Wow, what a ride it was. When I was sitting in the capsule on the launchpad, the only thought in my mind was: let's just go. When the ride started, it was something - you getting pushed back in the seat. It was an amazing ride. And then suddenly nothing. You are floating in vacuum," said Shukla.

Carrying a soft toy Swan, he said, in Indian culture, the Swan is a symbol of wisdom. Besides, Shukla is carrying carrot halwa, moong dal halwa and mango nectar with him to satiate his cravings for home-made food in space.

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Axiom-4 mission

The Axiom-4 Mission is not just a scientific feat but a testament to India's rising stature as a global technology powerhouse. It reinforces the nation's capability to lead space innovation, promote sustainability, and contribute meaningfully to global missions. Once aboard the ISS, Shukla will conduct pioneering experiments related to food and space nutrition. These experiments, developed under a collaboration between ISRO and the Department of Biotechnology (DBT), with support from NASA, aim to enhance understanding of sustainable life-support systems, a crucial aspect of future long-duration space travel. The research will also study the effects of microgravity and space radiation on edible microalgae -- a nutrient-rich, high-potential food source for future space missions. The experiment will evaluate key growth parameters and examine transcriptomic, proteomic.

(With inputs from agency)