In a monumental leap for India’s burgeoning space ambitions, Group Captain Shubhanshu Shukla, a native of Lucknow, has made history by becoming the first Indian to venture into space in over 40 years. As the pilot of the Axiom-4 mission, a privately-funded journey to the International Space Station (ISS) aboard a SpaceX Dragon spacecraft, Shukla’s flight marks a pivotal moment for the nation, reigniting the flame of human space exploration after a four-decade hiatus.
The Axiom-4 mission, which lifted off from NASA’s Kennedy Space Center in Florida, saw Shubhanshu Shukla join a diverse international crew, including veteran NASA astronaut Peggy Whitson (mission commander) and astronauts from Poland and Hungary. The launch, after facing several delays, was met with jubilation and pride across India, particularly in Lucknow, where watch parties erupted in cheers and emotional displays as the Falcon 9 rocket pierced the skies.
Shukla’s journey is not merely a personal triumph but a strategic stride for India’s own human spaceflight program, Gaganyaan. While Gaganyaan is India’s independent crewed mission, Shukla’s participation in Axiom-4 offers invaluable real-time experience in microgravity, handling live spacecraft systems, and observing how Indian-developed experiments perform in the unique space environment. This hands-on exposure is expected to provide critical data and insights, proving to be a “cheaper and safer” way to prepare for India’s independent human space launches, as noted by ISRO scientists.
A decorated combat and test pilot in the Indian Air Force with over 2,000 flying hours, Shubhanshu Shukla’s career has been a testament to his dedication and skill. Born in Lucknow in 1985 and educated at City Montessori School, he went on to graduate from the National Defence Academy before being commissioned into the IAF in 2006. His selection in 2019 for India’s Gaganyaan program, and subsequently as the pilot for Axiom-4, highlights his exceptional capabilities and commitment to pushing the boundaries of human achievement.
During their planned 14-day stay aboard the ISS, the Axiom-4 crew will engage in a wide array of scientific experiments, with over 60 research activities representing 31 countries. For Shubhanshu Shukla, this includes overseeing seven Indian science experiments, ranging from studies on metabolic diseases and the effects of microgravity on plants to material strength and human cognitive function in space. He is also expected to conduct outreach events, connecting with students and aspiring scientists back home, a mission he deeply believes will “ignite the curiosity of an entire generation” in India.
The last time an Indian embarked on a human spaceflight was in 1984, when Wing Commander Rakesh Sharma flew aboard the Soviet Soyuz T-11 as part of the Interkosmos programme. His eight-day mission on the Salyut 7 space station etched his name in history as India’s first cosmonaut. Now, 41 years later, Shubhanshu Shukla’s flight on the Axiom-4 mission not only adds another chapter to India’s space narrative but also signals the nation’s renewed commitment to an active role in global human space exploration.
As the Crew Dragon capsule, named “Grace” by the astronauts, makes its way to dock with the ISS, Shubhanshu Shukla’s words from orbit resonate deeply: “Namaskar, my dear countrymen; we have reached space after 41 years. It was a great ride. We are orbiting Earth at a speed of 7.5 km per second, I have the Indian tricolour on my shoulders that tells me that I am with all of you. This is not just the start of my journey to the ISS but also of India’s human spaceflight. I want each one of you to be part of this journey, let us embark on India’s human space programme together.” Indeed, his journey is a collective one, carrying the hopes and aspirations of 1.4 billion people towards a future among the stars.