Meet Shubhanshu Shukla, the first Indian astronaut to travel to space station

Group Captain Shubhanshu Shukla is on the cusp of making history, as he prepares to become the second Indian ever to travel to space. As the first to do so in over four decades, Shukla’s upcoming mission is not just a personal achievement but a monumental moment for India’s space exploration. He will be joining the Axiom 4 mission, a collaboration between Axiom Space, NASA, and SpaceX, which will see him travel aboard the Crew Dragon spacecraft to the International Space Station (ISS).

In an online press conference, Shubhanshu Shukla expressed his deep sense of responsibility, sharing that he is embarking on this journey on behalf of 1.4 billion people of India. “This is not just my journey,” he emphasized. “I want every one of my fellow countrymen to experience this moment with me, to share in this exciting new chapter in our nation’s history.”

Shubhanshu Shukla: Inspiring the Next Generation

At 40 years old, Shubhanshu Shukla is one of the four astronauts selected for the mission, which aims to inspire a new generation of Indian scientists, engineers, and space explorers. He believes this mission will spark the curiosity of millions of Indians, encouraging them to pursue their dreams of space exploration.

“While on the station for two weeks, we will conduct several scientific experiments and outreach activities,” Shukla explained. “We are determined to maximize our time and execute the mission with professionalism. Through this, we aim to ignite the curiosity and drive innovation for future space missions from India.”

Shubhanshu Shukla’s mission is part of a greater effort to prepare for India’s own human spaceflight program, Gaganyaan, which is slated for 2026. As one of the four Indian Air Force officers selected for the Gaganyaan mission, Shukla sees the Axiom 4 mission as a valuable opportunity to gain practical experience that will be integral to India’s future space endeavors.

A Personal Agenda for the Nation

The Axiom 4 mission will take Shukla and three other astronauts to the ISS for 14 days. During this time, Shukla plans to document his experience through photographs and videos to share with the people of India. “I want to bring the wonders of space closer to home for every Indian,” he said. “Although I’m the one traveling to space, it’s truly a journey for all 1.4 billion of us.”

The mission is set to launch in the spring of 2025, although the exact date is still to be determined. Joining Shukla on this historic mission are two astronauts from Poland and Hungary, each of whom will be the second person from their countries to travel to space, a milestone also achieved nearly forty years ago. The fourth astronaut, Peggy Whitson, hails from the United States.

Mentorship and Guidance from Rakesh Sharma

As Shubhanshu Shukla prepares for this life-changing journey, he is in constant contact with Wing Commander Rakesh Sharma, the first Indian to travel to space. Sharma’s historic mission aboard a Soviet spacecraft in 1984 continues to inspire generations of Indians.

Shubhanshu Shukla revealed that Sharma has been actively mentoring him, providing valuable advice on everything from astronaut training to what to expect during the mission. “He’s been a mentor and a guide, helping me with everything from astronaut selection to the kind of training we’re undergoing,” Shukla shared. “He’s also been instrumental in helping us prepare for Gaganyaan.”

In a heartfelt tribute to Sharma, Shubhanshu Shukla will carry a special item on the mission, though he has chosen not to reveal what it is just yet. “It’s something very personal, and I’ll share it at the end of the mission,” he said with a smile.

Training for Excellence

The astronauts have undergone rigorous training at several prestigious space agencies, including the European Space Agency (ESA), the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA), and the Japan Manned Space Systems Corporation (JAMSS). Their training covered emergency response procedures, communication systems, and conducting research in the Columbus module of the ISS. They also spent time at JAXA’s Tsukuba Space Center, gaining hands-on experience with the Japanese Experiment Module Kibo.

This mission marks another significant step for India in its space exploration journey. Shukla’s mission on the Axiom 4 is an important precursor to the Gaganyaan mission, which will launch India’s first crewed spaceflight. The knowledge gained from this mission will play a pivotal role in shaping the future of Indian space exploration.

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