Background & Early Inspirations
Born in Lucknow on October 10, 1985, Shubhanshu Shukla grew up in a committed family of three siblings 🧒, inspired by the patriotic fervor ignited by the Kargil War. A standout student at City Montessori School, he cleared the NDA exam in 2003. Graduating with a BSc in Computer Science from NDA in 2005, he swiftly pivoted to the Indian Air Force, earning his commission in June 2006.
A decorated pilot with over 2,000 flight hours, Shukla has flown high-performance jets like Su-30 MKI, MiG-29, Jaguar, and Hawk. He rose to the rank of Group Captain in early 2024.
🛰️ Training & the Road to Space
Selected in 2019 by India’s Institute of Aerospace Medicine for the Gaganyaan programme, he trained at Yuri Gagarin Cosmonaut Training Centre (Russia) in 2021, followed by advanced modules at ISRO’s Bengaluru centre. He also holds an MTech in Aerospace Engineering from IISc.
👨✈️ Axiom Mission 4: Historic Breakthrough
In August 2024, ISRO and Axiom Space announced Shukla as pilot for Axiom Mission 4, a private mission in collaboration with NASA and SpaceX. He launched on June 25, 2025, aboard a SpaceX Dragon—the first-ever Indian to step aboard the International Space Station (ISS).
The 14-day mission includes over 60 scientific experiments spanning crop cultivation, tardigrade biology, microalgae, microbial studies, and human cognitive & muscular adaptation in microgravity.
🌟 ISS Docking: A Milestone Moment
Shukla and his crew—Commander Peggy Whitson (USA), and mission specialists from Poland and Hungary—docked at the ISS on June 26, 2025. He received Astronaut Badge #634 upon arrival, expressing awe at Earth’s view and gratitude for his crewmates. In Hindi he shared:
“I have reached the ISS with your love and blessings… This is just the first step of the mission… Jai Hind.”
🍽️ India’s First Space Cuisine
Adding a cultural stamp, Shukla carried traditional Indian dishes—aamras (mango purée) and gajar ka halwa—to the ISS, continuing a legacy of Indian-origin food in space.
🌏 Why this matters
- Historic First: First Indian astronaut on the ISS, second overall after Rakesh Sharma’s 1984 mission.
- Capacity Building: ISS experience enriches ISRO’s team ahead of Gaganyaan, India’s first indigenous crewed mission.
- International Collaboration: Demonstrates equal footing with NASA, ESA, Russia—India’s role in advanced space exploration.
- Scientific Contribution: High-impact experiments pave the way for future exploration in life sciences and agriculture in space.
🔭 What Lies Ahead
Shukla’s mission will end in mid‑July, after which he’ll return with extensive scientific and operational insights critical for ISRO. As one of four selected Gaganyaan astronauts, he now brings live space experience to India’s homegrown crewed missions.
🎯 Final Takeaway
Group Captain Shubhanshu Shukla’s journey from Lucknow to the ISS is more than symbolic—it signifies India’s emergence as a global player in human spaceflight. As the first Indian aboard the ISS, he’s not only advancing science but also inspiring a nation to reach for the stars.
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