Indian Astronaut Shubhanshu shukla
“The exploration of space will go ahead, whether we join in it or not, and it is one of the great adventures of all time.”
-John F. Kennedy
Shubhanshu shukla was a group captain and test pilot with over 2000 flight hours with Indian Air Force and Gaganyatri with Indian space research organisation in 2019 in their own vehicle. Ashok July 2025 he is serving as the mission pilot for axiom mission 4 on 25th June 2025 that is the privately organised emission to the international space station becoming the first Indian to do so.
Early life and Education of Indian Astronaut Shubhanshu Shukla:
The great group captain was born on 10th October 1985 in Northern city of Lucknow at Uttar Pradesh for Shambhu Dayal Shukla and asha Shukla. He is the youngest of his three siblings. He completed his schooling at City Montessori School in Lucknow. Motivated by the Kargil war in 1999 he cleared the National defence academy and naval academy examination.
He graduated with a bachelor of science in computer science from National defence academy in 2005 and he got selected for flying training at Indian Air Force academy. He was commissioned into the stream of IAF as a flying officer in June 2006. He got married to a dentist Kama Mishra in 2009 and the couple has a cute son now.
Career of Indian Astronaut Shubhanshu Shukla:
Group Captain Shubhanshu Shukla’s professional career started in 2006 when he was commissioned into the Indian Air Force and underwent training at the National Defence Academy. He advanced his career as a pilot and had the opportunity to fly Sukhoi 30 MKIs, MiG 21, Jaguars, and Hawk. He accumulated over 2000 flying hours, and later on, he became a certified test pilot, a position that assesses an aircraft’s safety and performance.
In 2019, he was picked as one among four candidates to be trained by ISRO for the Gaganyaan mission which is set to be India’s first manned spacecraft. Shubhanshu trained in Russia and India where he was educated on spacecraft operations, microgravity, and survival scenarios. With his military experience accumulated over the years, he held the right traits which included strong leadership skills, and ability to perform under pressure which made him a prime candidate for the international space program.
In 2025, he made history by boarding the International Space Station (ISS) as the first Indian astronaut through Axiom Mission 4. With these achievements, he is helping inspire millions of Indians with aspirations related to space and showcasing India’s increasing impact in space exploration.
Indian Astronaut Shubhanshu Shukla on Axiom mission-4:
Axiom Mission 4 (Ax-4), launched on 25 June 2025, is renowned for being the first manned flight in history to India’s private spaceport, receiving significant attention from Axiom Space, NASA, SpaceX, and ISRO. It also marked India’s participation in the ISS. As a result of this mission, Group Captain Shubhanshu Shukla became the first Indian to board the ISS and the second Indian to travel to space after Rakesh Sharma in 1984.
An experienced officer and test pilot, Shubhanshu Shukla was also a key member of the Ax-4 team serving as a mission specialist and science ambassador. His discipline and calm demeanor were remarkable given the stress and challenges the crews faced during the mission. With over 2000 hours of flying and undergoing extensive training as an astronaut through the Gaganyaan program with ISRO, he was a tremendous asset emotionally and mentally for the Ax-4 team.
Over the course of 18 days spent aboard the ISS, the ISS crew completed more than 60 scientific experiments in biology, material science, and space farming. Shukla led several microgravity experiments, including the important one which focused on growing two Indian food crops, green gram and fenugreek, in space. His work focused on food sustainability for long-duration missions, and his findings could aid future space travel, as well as serve as a resource for agricultural advancements here on Earth.
Beyond his scientific role, Shubhanshu Shukla became the heart and soul of Axiom Mission 4. His warm interactions with school children from across the world lit up young minds with hope. In every word he spoke, there was a quiet encouragement — telling them, “If I can reach the stars, so can you.” One unforgettable moment came when he spoke live from space with Prime Minister Narendra Modi. As Shukla described the weight of carrying India’s dreams on his shoulders, his voice carried both pride and deep responsibility — a moment that stirred the nation’s heart.
When the mission concluded and the crew safely splashed down in the Atlantic Ocean around mid-July 2025, there was relief, joy, and overwhelming emotion. But what followed next moved millions — the tearful reunion between Shukla and his wife Kamna, and their young son Kiash. After nearly three weeks in space, Shukla’s words were simple: “Holding them felt like home.” That embrace spoke more than any headline ever could.
Axiom Mission 4 was not just a space journey — it was an emotional voyage for an entire nation. Through his courage, humility, and human touch, Shubhanshu Shukla didn’t just represent India on the global stage — he carried our hopes, inspired a generation, and proved that with dreams rooted in dedication, even the stars aren’t far away.
Conclusion:
Everyone thought only AI and such could do anything and humans cannot. Just remember that humans made the AI. These achievements were just beginning, We have a lot to see. The days of humans travelling to space for vacation are not so far away.
Jai Hind!