NASA retiree turned private astronaut Peggy Whitson was launched on the fifth flight to orbit of her career early on Wednesday (June 25). She was joined by crewmates from India, Poland and Hungary heading for their countries’ first visit to the International Space Station. Group Captain Shubhanshu Shukla while speaking to mission control, stated that the mission is not only the start of his journey to the International Space Station but the start of India’s space programme.