Astronaut Shukla lauds Artemis II launch, recalls meeting crew

NEW DELHI: Indian astronaut Shubhanshu Shukla lauded the Artemis II launch on Thursday that sent four astronauts on a journey around the Moon, while recalling his own experience of “standing on those very grounds for the first time, feeling humbled by what it represents”.

In a post on X, he said, “It is the same ground from which Neil Armstrong began humanity’s first journey to the Moon. The same place where Peggy Whitson, the most experienced American astronaut and my commander, launched on her first mission to space. And today, it becomes the starting point for yet another chapter in our shared story of exploration.”

The space launch system rocket propelled the Artemis II mission from Launch Pad 39 B on Thursday. Neil Armstrong began his journey to the Moon from Kennedy Space Centre's Launch Pad 39 A, which is just a few kilometres away from the Artemis-2 launch pad. Shukla, who is the only Indian to have flown to space from the US, also lifted off from Launch Pad 39A.

“I had the privilege of watching these astronauts prepare for this mission, and even meeting two of them personally. To see them now on the cusp of such a remarkable journey is both inspiring and moving,” he posted on X.

India became the 27th signatory to the US-led Artemis Accords in June 2023. While not directly participating in the Artemis program's manned missions, this partnership allows India to collaborate with Nasa through Isro on technological advancements and joint missions.

India is currently working on its own lunar goals through Chandrayaan-6, 7, and 8, building on the momentum of the upcoming Chandrayaan-4 and Chandrayaan-5 missions. It plans to land on the Moon by 2040.
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