New Delhi: Group Captain Shubhanshu Shukla of the Indian Air Force has created history by becoming the first Indian in nearly 40 years to journey to the International Space Station (ISS). Piloting the SpaceX Dragon spacecraft as part of the Axiom Mission 4 (Ax-4), the Indian astronaut joined the crew that successfully launched at 12:01 PM on Wednesday, June 25, following a series of postponements.
Shukla now follows in the footsteps of legendary astronaut Rakesh Sharma, who in 1984 became the first and only Indian to visit space until now, spending eight days aboard the Soviet Union’s Salyut 7 space station.
Born in Lucknow, Uttar Pradesh, on October 10, 1985, Shukla is one of four astronauts selected for India’s upcoming Gaganyaan mission. With this flight, he not only marks a return to space for India but also for Poland and Hungary, whose nationals are also aboard the Ax-4 mission.
Joining him on this milestone expedition are mission commander and veteran NASA astronaut Peggy Whitson, Polish mission specialist Slawosz Uznanski-Wisniewski, and Hungarian astronaut Tibor Kapu.
Speaking ahead of the mission in a video shared by Axiom Space, Shukla expressed deep gratitude and a sense of purpose. “This is bigger than me. I feel incredibly privileged to be part of something so monumental,” he said. “My aim is to inspire young minds back home. If my journey can spark curiosity or change even one life, it will all be worth it.”
Interestingly, Shukla revealed that he was informed about his inclusion in the Ax-4 mission barely a week before arriving at Axiom’s facility, calling the opportunity to go to space “an unexpected and surreal moment.”
A decorated combat leader and accomplished test pilot, Shukla was commissioned into the Indian Air Force in June 2006. He has amassed over 2,000 hours of flying experience on a wide range of aircraft, including the Su-30 MKI, MiG-21, MiG-29, Jaguar, Hawk, Dornier, and An-32.
The Ax-4 mission marks a significant moment in international collaboration and scientific advancement, as it paves the way for deeper space exploration and renewed participation from countries that have been absent from manned spaceflight for decades.
India now awaits the homecoming of its newest space hero, whose mission carries not just scientific aspirations, but also the dreams of millions.
