India is poised to script a defining chapter in its space journey. International Space mission carrying Indian astronaut Group Captain Shubhanshu Shukla of the Indian Air Force has been scheduled for next month.
Union Minister of State for Science and Technology Dr Jitendra Singh said, the mission will mark the visit of first Indian ever to visit the International Space Station (ISS) and the first Indian astronaut to travel to Space in over four decades after Rakesh Sharma’s iconic 1984 flight aboard a Soviet Soyuz spacecraft.
Chairman ISRO informed that Shubhanshu Shukla is all prepared to fly to the International Space Station (ISS) next month as part of Axiom Space’s Ax-4 mission.
Shukla is among the top contenders for the Gaganyaan mission
Group Captain Shukla’s mission, scheduled for May 2025, marks a milestone in India’s expanding international space collaborations. A decorated test pilot with the Indian Air Force, he was shortlisted under ISRO’s Human Spaceflight Program (HSP) and is among the top contenders for the Gaganyaan mission, India’s first indigenous crewed orbital flight.
Shukla's journey aboard the Ax-4 mission is expected to provide critical hands-on experience in spaceflight operations, launch protocols, microgravity adaptation, and emergency preparedness — all essential for India’s crewed space ambitions.
As India’s space strategy matures, Group Captain Shukla’s upcoming mission stands as a symbol of a confident, forward-looking nation ready to reclaim its place in the global space race. His journey is more than just a flight — it’s a signal that India is stepping boldly into a new era of space exploration.
Who is Shubhanshu Shukla?
Group Captain Shubhanshu Shukla is originally from Uttar Pradesh. He did his early education at City Montessori School in Aliganj, Lucknow. After 12th, he cleared the entrance of National Defense Academy (NDA) and graduated.
Captain Shukla joined the Indian Air Force about 18 years ago. Last year in August 2024, he was also selected for the Gaganyaan Mission. He once said that in childhood, he used to hear stories of bravery and sacrifice of Indian soldiers which inspired him to join the armed forces.
Group Captain Shubhanshu Shukla has taken military training at the National Defense Academy (NDA).
Shubhanshu Shukla joined the Fighter Wing of the Indian Air Force on June 17, 2006. He has over 2,000 hours of flying experience. He has flown fighter aircraft like Sukhoi-30 MKI, MiG-21, MiG-29, Dornier and An-32, Jaguar and Hawk.
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