Shubhanshu Shukla: India’s Trailblazing Astronaut Makes History on Axiom Mission 4
International Space Station, June 26, 2025 — Group Captain Shubhanshu Shukla, a distinguished Indian Air Force (IAF) test pilot and ISRO astronaut, has etched his name in history as the first Indian to visit the International Space Station (ISS) aboard Axiom Mission 4 (Ax-4), launched on June 25, 2025, from NASA’s Kennedy Space Center in Florida. As India celebrates this milestone, Shukla’s journey from a Lucknow schoolboy to a space pioneer underscores his remarkable career and dedication.
Early Life and Education
Born on October 10, 1985, in Lucknow, Uttar Pradesh, Shukla grew up in a middle-class family with a passion for aviation sparked by the 1999 Kargil War. He attended City Montessori School, Aliganj, excelling academically and nurturing an interest in technology. Independently clearing the UPSC NDA examination, he graduated from the National Defence Academy (NDA) in 2005 with a Bachelor of Science in Computer Science. Later, he earned a Master of Technology in Aerospace Engineering from the Indian Institute of Science (IISc), Bengaluru, solidifying his expertise in aerospace.
Stellar Military Career
Commissioned into the IAF’s fighter stream in June 2006, Shukla quickly rose through the ranks, becoming a Wing Commander in 2019 and Group Captain in March 2024. A seasoned test pilot and fighter combat leader, he has logged over 2,000 hours of flight experience on aircraft like the Su-30 MKI, MiG-21, MiG-29, Jaguar, Hawk, Dornier 228, and An-32. His skills earned him the nickname “Shux” or “Shuks” among peers, reflecting his operational prowess.
Astronaut Journey: From Gaganyaan to Axiom-4
In 2019, Shukla was selected by ISRO’s Institute of Aerospace Medicine for the Gaganyaan mission, India’s first crewed spaceflight program, set for 2026. He underwent rigorous training at Russia’s Yuri Gagarin Cosmonaut Training Center from February 2020 to March 2021, mastering spacecraft systems and space physiology. Further training at NASA’s Johnson Space Center, ESA’s European Astronaut Centre, and JAXA’s Tsukuba Space Center prepared him for Axiom-4.
On June 25, 2025, Shukla launched as the mission pilot for Ax-4 aboard SpaceX’s Falcon 9 and Dragon spacecraft, alongside commander Peggy Whitson (U.S.), Sławosz Uznański-Wiśniewski (Poland), and Tibor Kapu (Hungary). The crew is conducting over 60 microgravity experiments during a 14- to 21-day ISS stay, with Shukla’s contributions advancing India’s space research ahead of Gaganyaan. “This is the journey of 1.4 billion Indians,” Shukla said at a press conference, aiming to inspire future generations.
Personal Life and Interests
Shukla is married to Dr. Kamna Mishra, a dentist and former schoolmate, and they have a four-year-old son, Kiyas. His parents, Shambhu Dayal Shukla, a retired government officer, and Asha Shukla, a homemaker, raised him alongside two elder sisters, Nidhi (MBA holder) and Suchi (schoolteacher). An agnostic with a recent interest in horoscopes, Shukla enjoys physical exercise and reading science-related books in his spare time.
What This Means
As the second Indian in space after Rakesh Sharma in 1984, Shukla’s Ax-4 mission, costing India approximately ₹550 crore, marks a pivotal step in ISRO’s human spaceflight ambitions. His role in Gaganyaan and potential contributions to India’s planned space station by 2035 signal a bright future for the nation’s space program. Shukla’s journey, celebrated across X for his “wicked smart” focus, continues to inspire, with his Tricolour patch symbolizing national pride in orbit.
