Imagine this: Shubhanshu Shukla, an Indian Air Force officer, is about to make history by becoming the first Indian in over 40 years to go to space and board the International Space Station (ISS). This exciting journey will happen through the Axiom-4 (Ax-4) mission, set to launch on June 11, 2025, from NASA’s Kennedy Space Center. It’s a big deal for India as it’s a crucial part of the country’s Gaganyaan space program, where India aims to send astronauts into space on its own in the future.
Who is Shubhanshu Shukla?
Shubhanshu, born in Lucknow on October 10, 1985, has always been passionate about learning. He studied at City Montessori School, one of the top schools in Lucknow, and later joined the National Defence Academy. He also earned a Master’s degree in Aerospace Engineering from the prestigious Indian Institute of Science in Bangalore.
In 2006, he joined the Indian Air Force and became a skilled pilot, flying advanced aircraft like the Sukhoi Su-30 MKI, MiG-29, and others. His flying hours are over 2,000—a huge achievement in itself! In 2019, he was selected for India’s Gaganyaan human spaceflight program, and after extensive training in Russia and India, he is now preparing to launch into space as part of Axiom-4.
The Axiom-4 Mission
Axiom-4 is a global collaboration, with astronauts from different countries, including Peggy Whitson (USA), Sławosz Uznański (Poland), and Tibor Kapu (Hungary), along with Shubhanshu. They’ll spend 14-21 days on the ISS, working on 60+ scientific experiments. These experiments will cover biomedical research, Earth observation, and more. The goal is to learn about human health in space, how materials change in zero gravity, and how to improve technology for future space missions.
India has invested over $60 million in this mission, showing how serious the country is about becoming a major player in space exploration.
India’s Space History
This mission is extra special because it’s been 41 years since an Indian last went to space. That was Wing Commander Rakesh Sharma in 1984. Shubhanshu has openly said that Rakesh Sharma is his inspiration. This mission shows how far India has come since then. India’s space agency ISRO has made incredible strides over the years, from launching missions to Mars to sending Chandrayaan-3 to the Moon.
What’s Next?
After this mission, Shubhanshu’s experience will directly help in developing India’s Gaganyaan mission, which is planned for 2027. The knowledge gained from this international space mission will make India’s own human spaceflight program even better.
And it’s not just about Shubhanshu’s journey—it’s about inspiring millions of young Indians who dream of exploring space. His mission is a reminder that space is no longer just for the biggest countries; smaller nations like India can also make big impacts.