As India eagerly awaits the historic Axiom-4 mission that will carry its second astronaut into space, confidence is growing around the readiness of Group Captain Shubhanshu Shukla—known by his call sign “Shux.” Offering strong words of encouragement and reassurance is none other than UAE’s first astronaut, Hazzaa AlMansoori, who trained closely with Shukla during their time in Houston.
“It was a great pleasure to work with him,” said AlMansoori. “We trained together, discussed mission plans, and shared preparations. Shux is grounded, capable, and now ready to pilot the Dragon spacecraft.”
AlMansoori, a fellow fighter pilot, didn’t hesitate to vouch for Shukla’s abilities. “It’s a great privilege and responsibility, and I have no doubt he will represent India with utmost professionalism and pride.”
During their training, the astronauts underwent rigorous simulations of emergency scenarios aboard the International Space Station (ISS), including fires, toxic leaks, and pressure loss. According to AlMansoori, Shukla proved calm and effective under pressure. “We had to work together as a team to recover the station or reach the safety of our vehicles. Shukla was clearly ready for every challenge.”
When asked if the Indian astronaut is fully prepared for space, AlMansoori didn’t blink: “Definitely. He is professional, focused, and ready.”
He also sent a personal message to Shukla ahead of his journey: “Shux, enjoy your time in space. Few people ever get to float in zero gravity and witness Earth from orbit. Take plenty of photos—for yourself, your family, and the world. Everyone back home will be looking up at you.”
Beyond the mission, AlMansoori extended a warm invitation: “After your flight, please visit the UAE. We love to have astronauts share their experience—especially with young students and universities. It inspires a whole generation.”
To reassure the Indian public, AlMansoori emphasized the safety record of the SpaceX vehicle: “Falcon 9 is a solid, proven rocket with an excellent safety record. The SpaceX team is world-class. God forbid anything goes wrong, but you’re in safe hands.”
As Shukla’s mission nears, AlMansoori had one final message for India: “Support him, pray for him, and enjoy every moment of this journey. He’s carrying your hopes and dreams into space—and you’re all part of this historic mission.”