Nation

IIE DIGITAL DESK : The  stirring blend of science and soul, Group Captain Shubhanshu Shukla added a deeply personal and cultural note to the historic Axiom‑4 mission by tuning into the iconic A. R. Rahman track “Yun Hi Chala Chal” from Swades just before blast-off. The choice not only underscored his individual roots but also captured a sentiment of purposeful journeying as he prepared to traverse borders and gravity alike .

Ahead of the 12:01 p.m. IST launch from NASA’s Kennedy Space Center in Florida on June 25, the crew shared their launch-day playlist—an eclectic collection reflecting ambition, calm, and cultural unity . The lineup included:

• “Yun Hi Chala Chal” – A soulful and uplifting song that evokes the spirit of onward movement and aspiration.

• “Thunder” by Imagine Dragons – Chosen by mission commander Peggy Whitson, this anthem of power and resilience perfectly suits her legacy as a record-setting astronaut .

• “Supermoce” by Igo, Mrozu & Vito Bambino – A Polish-language track translating to “superpowers,” selected by Sławosz Uznański‑Wiśniewski.

• “Búvóhely” by Quimby and others – A Hungarian ballad meaning “hiding place,” chosen by Tibor Kapu to reflect introspective calm before launch.

Together, these four songs formed a tapestry of emotional resonance—symbolizing determination, reflection, and the multicultural essence of human spaceflight.

At 12:01 p.m. IST, Shukla became the second Indian to travel to space, boarding the SpaceX Falcon 9 Crew Dragon on the Axiom‑4 flight alongside Whitson, Uznański‑Wiśniewski, and Kapu . The liftoff, following multiple delays, marked yet another milestone in India’s human spaceflight narrative .Moments after launch, Shukla addressed his countrymen from orbit:

“Namaskar, my dear countrymen! What a ride! We are back in space once again after 41 years… The Tiranga embossed on my shoulders tells me that I am with all of you. This journey … is not a beginning to the International Space Station (ISS) but to India’s Human Space Programme. … Together, let’s initiate India’s Human Space Programme. Jai Hind! Jai Bharat!”  

His words resonated with pride and purpose, affirming that this mission carries not just crew and cargo—but the hopes of 1.4 billion Indians and the vision of India’s forthcoming Gaganyaan crewed programme, slated for 2027  .

Commanded by Peggy Whitson—whose own playlist stirred purpose and determination—Axiom‑4 is a commercial spaceflight mission demonstrating both global cooperation and scientific ambition. With stops planned at the ISS within the next 28 hours, Shukla and his crewmates will spend around two weeks conducting a variety of experiments .

Shukla’s playlist, carefully curated by the Ax‑4 team, weaves a narrative beyond mere entertainment. It mirrors the emotional landscape of each astronaut: from introspection, cultural homage, and resilience to the silent camaraderie of humans united by curiosity

This isn't just a tale of rockets and orbits—it's a human story. A fighter pilot from Lucknow, Shukla merges his Indian identity, global vision, and musical preferences into one soaring moment above Earth.