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New Delhi, June 5, 2026 — Group Captain Shubhanshu Shukla, a decorated Indian Air Force (IAF) fighter pilot and the first Indian to visit and dock with the International Space Station (ISS), is ready to share his historic cosmic journey on paper. In a highly anticipated announcement, the 40-year-old astronaut revealed that he is turning author with his debut memoir titled The Second Orbit: Belief of a Man, Dreams of 1.4 Billion Hearts. Published by Penguin Random House India (PRHI), the 342-page book is scheduled to hit bookstores nationwide on June 25, 2026.
The book promises to move past the glossy headlines and public celebrations to give readers an unprecedented, raw glimpse into the grueling reality of modern human spaceflight. Far from a simple victory lap, the memoir dives deep into the high-stakes world of elite astronaut selection, intensive training regimens, and the profound emotional weight of carrying a nation’s celestial ambitions into orbit.
Holding the Door Open for the Next Generation
Shukla’s historic space journey aboard NASA’s commercial Axiom-4 mission marked the return of an Indian citizen to space after a staggering 42-year hiatus. The last time an Indian traversed the cosmos was in 1984, when Wing Commander Rakesh Sharma famously looked down at the subcontinent from a Soviet Soyuz spacecraft.
Shukla, who was recently honored with the Ashok Chakra for his exceptional service and gallantry, emphasized that the book is written specifically for ordinary dreamers. “When I was a child, I never imagined I would be an astronaut,” he stated. “I sat in the same kind of classroom, with the same homework, and the same small wish, for five minutes in a cockpit. This book is for the child in that classroom right now—the one who hasn’t yet been told the dream is too big. It isn’t. It never was.”
Behind the Scenes: The Realities of Space Flight
According to early insights from the publisher, The Second Orbit peels back the curtain on what it truly takes to survive a cosmic voyage. While the public sees smooth launches and smiling crew photos, Shukla writes about the “thousand silent breakdowns” and the sheer psychological discipline required when quitting feels like the easiest option.
The book chronicles his unforgettable experience spending 18 days floating in microgravity aboard the ISS, managing demanding 13-hour workdays that operated on a strict, military-style timetable. From waking up at 6:00 AM to conducting cutting-edge Indian-curated scientific experiments—such as studying stem cells to prevent muscle degeneration and observing microalgae growth—Shukla maps out life in a laboratory hurtling around the Earth at 17,500 miles per hour.
However, the memoir does not shy away from the vulnerabilities of an astronaut. Shukla opens up about the profound, heavy moments of loneliness he experienced while looking out of his capsule window at the “surreal” views of the Earth and Moon, struggling with the unique frustration of being unable to perfectly communicate such an alien experience to his loved ones back home.
From ‘Yesterday’s Coffee’ to Cosmic Wisdom
The announcement of the memoir comes closely on the heels of several high-profile public appearances by the astronaut, where he has begun sharing the unique life lessons learned from living on the edge of the cosmos. Speaking recently at the Climate Innovation Summit 2026 at IIM Bangalore, Shukla made headlines by drawing direct parallels between space survival and environmental accountability on Earth.
“In space, your yesterday’s coffee is your tomorrow’s coffee,” Shukla noted, explaining the extreme, absolute recycling systems required to sustain life on the space station. He noted that living with less in orbit reminds us of something humanity has largely forgotten: that every drop of water, every breath of air, and every gram of matter is sacred.
This philosophy of mindful focus and rising above chaos is a major theme woven throughout The Second Orbit. Shukla frequently speaks about the concept of “discernment in an age of distraction,” using the traditional zero-gravity indicator from his mission—a swan-shaped plush toy named “Joy”—as a symbol. Just as the swan in Indian mythology represents the wisdom to separate truth from noise, Shukla’s memoir challenges readers to identify what truly matters in their own lives and “float above the rest”.
The Path to India’s Flagship Frontier: Gaganyaan
The timing of the book’s release is particularly significant as India stands at a critical crossroads in its space exploration history. Currently based at the Human Space Flight Centre in Bengaluru, Group Captain Shukla is actively preparing for an even larger assignment: he is one of the four elite astronaut-designates chosen for ISRO’s legendary, fully indigenous Gaganyaan mission.
Tentatively scheduled for a mid-2027 launch, the landmark Gaganyaan mission aims to project India into an elite club of spacefaring nations by launching a three-member crew into a 400-kilometer low-Earth orbit for three days, before executing a safe splashdown return in Indian sea waters.
Shukla is currently leveraging his extensive background as an IAF test pilot to help ISRO refine and freeze the spacecraft’s design, ensuring human safety remains paramount. He views Gaganyaan as a monumental shift in scale for the country’s scientific community, noting that a successful indigenous mission will provide immense courage to the nation.
As public excitement for India’s space era reaches a fever pitch, The Second Orbit arrives as both a masterclass in psychological resilience and a profound, inspiring look at a man who dared to look past fear, say “yes,” and step out into the stars.
The Second Orbit: Belief of a Man, Dreams of 1.4 Billion Hearts will be available in both hardback and paperback variants across major online portals and brick-and-mortar bookstores starting June 25.