Fact Check: India celebrates its first astronaut launch in 41 years!

Fact Check: India Celebrates Its First Astronaut Launch in 41 Years!

What We Know

On June 25, 2025, India successfully launched its first astronaut into space in 41 years. Group Captain Shubhanshu Shukla, an Indian Air Force officer, is aboard the Axiom-4 mission, which was launched from NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Florida. This marks a significant milestone for India's space program, as the last Indian astronaut, Rakesh Sharma, flew to space in 1984 aboard the Soyuz T-11 mission as part of the Soviet Interkosmos program (BBC News, Reuters).

Prime Minister Narendra Modi celebrated this achievement, stating that Shukla carries the hopes and aspirations of 1.4 billion Indians. The mission is seen as a pivotal moment for India's Human Space Program, with Shukla emphasizing the importance of this journey for the nation (DD News).

Analysis

The claim that India is celebrating its first astronaut launch in 41 years is substantiated by multiple credible sources. The launch of Group Captain Shubhanshu Shukla aboard the Axiom-4 mission is widely reported, including by major news outlets like the BBC and Reuters, which confirm the historical context of this event (BBC News, Reuters).

The significance of this launch is underscored by the fact that it follows a long hiatus since India's last manned spaceflight in 1984. The current mission not only revives India's presence in human spaceflight but also aligns with the country's ambitions to expand its space exploration capabilities.

The sources reporting on this event, including government statements and reputable news organizations, are reliable. The information provided by Prime Minister Modi and the details surrounding the launch are consistent across various platforms, reinforcing the accuracy of the claim.

Conclusion

Verdict: True
The claim that India celebrates its first astronaut launch in 41 years is indeed true. The successful launch of Group Captain Shubhanshu Shukla marks a significant milestone in India's space exploration efforts, reviving its human spaceflight program after decades. The consistency of the information across multiple credible sources further supports this conclusion.