Shubhanshu Shukla – India’s next space hero. This boy from Lucknow, who was inspired by the Kargil war in his childhood and became a pilot, is now making his place in the hearts of the entire nation by becoming a mission pilot of Gaganyaan and ISS.
Journey of Shubhanshu Shukla – India’s next space hero
His journey started from NDA, then fighter stream in IAF (2006), where he flew aircraft like MiG-21, Su-30. He became a test pilot in 2019 and will become a Group Captain in 2024. His space dream was fulfilled with astronaut selection by ISRO (2019), after training in Russia and Bengaluru.
ISS Mission:
Selected as a pilot in the Axiom-4 mission in February 2025. Will travel to the ISS via SpaceX Dragon capsule. There will be scientific experiments and cultural outreach in the 14-day mission.
Significance:
First Indian passport holder astronaut on ISS; after first Indian space pilot Rakesh Sharma. All these skills and experiences will form the foundation of Gaganyaan mission.
Conclusion:
Shubhanshu Shukla’s story is a pride for the country and an inspiration for the youth. His mission will take India to a new high‑altitude in the space frontier.
Shubhanshu Shukla – Indian Air Force Test Pilot & ISRO Astronaut, Know about his life
Born: 10 October 1985, Lucknow 🇮🇳
Rank: Group Captain, Indian Air Force
Flight Hours: ~2,000+ hours across Su‑30 MKI, MiG‑21, MiG‑29, Jaguar, Hawk, Dornier, An‑32
Personal Life
- Youngest of three siblings; hails from Lucknow
- Married to Dr. Kamna Shubha Shukla (dentist); father of one son
- Motivated by 1999 Kargil War; submitted NDA form at age 16 without telling parents
Early Life & Education
- Schooling at City Montessori School, Aliganj, Lucknow
- Joined NDA Khadakwasla in 2003; BSc in Computer Science from NDA (2005)
- Graduated from IAF Academy; M.Tech in Aerospace Engineering from IISc Bangalore
IAF Career & Test Pilot
- Commissioned into fighter stream in June 2006
- Became Wing Commander (2019), promoted to Group Captain (2024)
- Elite combat leader & test pilot, over 2,000 hours flying elite jets
Astronaut Selection & Training
- Selected in 2019 by Institute of Aerospace Medicine for Gaganyaan
- Underwent first training at Gagarin Cosmonaut Training Centre, Russia (2020–21)
- Continued at ISRO Astronaut Training Facility, Bengaluru
- Officially announced as Gaganyaan astronaut by PM Modi in Feb 2024
Axiom Mission 4 (Ax‑4) – ISS Pilot
- Chosen in August 2024 to pilot Axiom Mission 4 to ISS aboard SpaceX Dragon
- Crew includes Commander Peggy Whitson, ESA’s Sławosz Uznański‑Wiśniewski, and Tibor Kapu
- Launch rescheduled multiple times; now set for June 2025
- Mission spans ~14 days with scientific studies & outreach on ISS
Importance & Legacy
- Will be first Indian passport–holding astronaut on ISS; second Indian in orbit after Rakesh Sharma (1984)
- Mission seen as a major stepping stone for Gaganyaan (India’s own crewed spacecraft)
- Will foster international cooperation (NASA, ISRO, Axiom Space) and inspire India’s 1.4 b audience
Conclusion & Call to Action
This historic mission of Group Captain Shubhanshu Shukla is a golden moment in India’s aerospace dreams. Please follow his journey, subscribe for mission updates, and share it so that everyone gets inspired!