Group Captain Shubhanshu Shukla and others inside the International Space Station
- Shubhanshu Shukla said he is looking forward to conducting experiments in the next 14 days
- Group Captain Shukla's family watched the space capsule Dragon's docking with ISS live
- "We are extremely proud. We have been praying for his success," his father Shambhu Dayal Shukla said
Indian Air Force (IAF) Group Captain Shubhanshu Shukla said he is excited about the scientific tasks that he and the crew will perform for the next 14 days in the International Space Station (ISS). He said he is feeling a bit "lightheaded" but "that is nothing compared to the excitement".
It was the first time the entire team spoke together since Group Captain Shukla and three other astronauts successfully docked their Dragon spacecraft with the ISS this evening. Visuals beamed from the ISS showed the four astronauts who had just arrived enjoying a healthy drink and laughing.
"I am feeling lightheaded," the IAF pilot-turned-astronaut said. "But that is not much of an issue compared to the things we will do here for the next 14 days. It is a very proud and exciting moment, a big step in our space journey," Group Captain Shukla said, flanked by the ISS crew and the three astronauts who came with him - Slawosz Uznanski-Wisniewski of Poland, Tibor Kapu of Hungary, and Dr Peggy Whitson of the US.
He reiterated what he said earlier about the tricolour (national flag). "I wear the tricolour on my shoulders with pride."
Group Captain Shukla's family along with friends and relatives gathered at the school in Lucknow where he studied and watched the live telecast of the space capsule Dragon's successful docking at the ISS.
The capsule which is part of the Axiom 4 mission is the fifth and final Dragon in Elon Musk-owned company SpaceX fleet. It was christened "Grace" after reaching orbit.
Asha Shukla, the mother of IAF Group Captain, was seen tearing up as she watched the live telecast of the docking in the ISS.
"We are extremely proud. We have been praying for his success. This is a proud day for us," his father Shambhu Dayal Shukla told news agency ANI, adding the family will meet with Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath.
The Indian astronaut has become the 634th astronaut in the world to travel to space. Mission commander Dr Peggy Whitson handed out astronaut pins to him, Slawosz Uznanski-Wisniewski and Tibor Kapu, who marked their first voyage to space.
"I am astronaut 634. It is a privilege to be here," Group Captain Shukla said in brief remarks at the formal welcome ceremony on the space station. "With your love and blessings, I have reached the International Space Station. It looks easy to stand here, but I'm a bit lightheaded, a minor issue," he said. "We will get used to it. This is the first step of this journey."
