Kashmir, June 25, 2025 – Group Captain Shubhanshu Shukla, a distinguished Indian Air Force officer from Lucknow, scripted history as the first Indian astronaut to embark on a mission to live and work aboard the International Space Station (ISS). Launched on June 25, 2025, at 12:01 PM IST aboard SpaceX’s Falcon 9 rocket as part of the Axiom-4 (Ax-4) mission from NASA’s Kennedy Space Center in Florida, Shukla’s journey marks India’s return to human spaceflight after 41 years, following Rakesh Sharma’s 1984 mission.
A Historic Milestone for India
Shukla, born in 1986 in Lucknow, Uttar Pradesh, and a graduate of the National Defence Academy (NDA), joined the Indian Air Force in 2006 as a fighter pilot. His selection for the Ax-4 mission, a commercial spaceflight led by Axiom Space, underscores India’s growing prowess in space exploration. As the mission pilot, Shukla is joined by commander Peggy Whitson (USA) and mission specialists Tibor Kapu (Hungary) and Slawosz Uznanski (Poland), representing a collaborative effort among four nations. The spacecraft is set to dock with the ISS on June 26, 2025, at approximately 4:30 PM IST, where Shukla will spend 14 days conducting scientific experiments.
From orbit, Shukla delivered an emotional message: “Namaskar, my dear countrymen! We have reached space after 41 years. It was a great ride. I have the Indian tricolour on my shoulders. The tricolour tells me I am with you all.” His words, echoing national pride, were celebrated at watch parties, including at his alma mater, City Montessori School in Lucknow, where his parents, Asha and Sheo Shanker Shukla, witnessed the launch.
Mission Objectives and Personal Touches
During his two-week stay on the ISS, Shukla will conduct seven microgravity experiments curated by ISRO, focusing on food, nutrition, and biological studies, including growing methi and moong dal in space and researching tardigrades. He carries personal items like mango nectar, gajar ka halwa, and moong dal halwa to share with his crewmates, along with a secret souvenir for his mentor, Rakesh Sharma. Shukla’s launch-day playlist featured “Yun Hi Chala Chal” by A.R. Rahman, reflecting his cultural roots.
National Pride and Global Collaboration
Prime Minister Narendra Modi hailed the mission, stating, “Shubhanshu Shukla carries the wishes, hopes, and aspirations of 1.4 billion Indians.” President Droupadi Murmu called it a proud moment, emphasizing global unity with, “The world is indeed one family – Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam.” Union Minister Jitendra Singh praised Shukla’s role as a milestone for ISRO’s global collaborations, a precursor to the Gaganyaan mission in 2027 and India’s lunar ambitions by 2040.
Shukla’s journey, marked by a heartfelt farewell to his wife, Kamna, through a glass partition, has captured hearts nationwide. His mother, Asha Shukla, expressed pride, saying, “This is all because of his hard work.” The mission, delayed multiple times, was launched under 90% favorable weather conditions, symbolizing India’s resilience and determination.
A New Era for Indian Space Exploration
As the first Indian to live and work on the ISS, Shukla’s mission fulfills a commitment between US President Donald Trump and PM Modi to advance Indo-US space collaboration. His journey, orbiting Earth at 7.5 km per second, not only elevates India’s space program but also inspires a new generation of explorers.
