In a groundbreaking moment for Indian space enthusiasts, Subhanshu Shukla, a young space entrepreneur and science advocate, has officially embarked on his first suborbital space journey aboard SpaceX’s Falcon 9 mission, making headlines worldwide.
The mission, launched from Cape Canaveral early this morning, was part of SpaceX’s broader initiative to make space tourism more accessible. Subhanshu joined a crew of five aboard the Crew Dragon capsule, experiencing near-zero gravity and a breathtaking view of Earth from the edge of space.
Shukla, known for his contributions to space education and youth space outreach in India, called it “a dream come true and a step closer to democratizing space for all.”
The Falcon 9 booster, known for its reusability, successfully completed its mission and landed back on Earth minutes after liftoff. The booster performed a precise vertical landing on the droneship “Of Course I Still Love You” stationed in the Atlantic Ocean, marking SpaceX’s 234th successful landing.
Social media was abuzz with admiration for Subhanshu’s journey. Indian Prime Minister and several global leaders congratulated him, calling the moment “a proud step for New India in global space exploration.”
As commercial spaceflight becomes more prominent, Subhanshu’s flight symbolizes a new era — where not just astronauts but educators, scientists, and citizens are becoming part of the journey to the stars.