“Group Captain Shubhanshu Shukla becomes ISRO’s first astronaut on the ISS after 40 years. Discover his journey, achievements, and what it means for India’s space future.”
🇮🇳 Shubhanshu Shukla: The New Face of India in Space
In a landmark moment for Indian space exploration, Group Captain Shubhanshu Shukla became the first ISRO astronaut to travel to the International Space Station (ISS). His journey reflects India’s global ambitions in human spaceflight, marking the country’s return to crewed missions after a 40-year hiatus.
🧑✈️ From Lucknow to Low Earth Orbit
Born in Lucknow in 1985, Shukla attended City Montessori School and joined the National Defence Academy in 2001. After being commissioned into the Indian Air Force in 2006, he clocked over 2,000 flight hours flying Su‑30MKIs, MiG‑29s, Jaguars, and more. Later, he earned a Master’s from IISc Bengaluru and underwent rigorous training at Russia’s Yuri Gagarin Cosmonaut Training Center as part of ISRO’s Gaganyaan program.
💑 Personal Life
- Married to Dr. Kamna Shukla, a dentist, the couple is childhood sweethearts who share a son. They met in Lucknow during primary school, and Kamna has been a steadfast companion throughout his journey to space
🚀 Axiom Mission 4: Shukla’s Journey to the ISS
On June 25, 2025, Shukla launched aboard the SpaceX Crew Dragon “Grace” from NASA’s Kennedy Space Center as part of Axiom Mission 4 (Ax‑4). His 18-day mission aboard the ISS involved over 60 experiments, including seven by Indian scientists focusing on:
- Muscle loss and bone health in zero gravity
- Microbial resistance in space
- Screen exposure in low-gravity conditions
- Space farming and plant resilience
He also interacted with students via radio, conducted public outreach from orbit, and even held a live call with Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
🌍 A Hero’s Return
After nearly three weeks in space, the Dragon capsule safely splashed down near San Diego on July 15, 2025. The return was met with joy and national pride. Indian leaders and citizens hailed Shukla’s successful mission as a massive leap forward for ISRO’s space efforts.
The crew undocked on 14 July 2025 and splashed down near California on 15 July at 3 pm IST. Shukla’s return sparked national pride, with emotional support from his family—father Shambhu Dayal Shukla, mother Asha, and sisters, including prayers at their temple in Lucknow.
India praised his achievement as a major leap in human spaceflight, positioning him as a role model for future astronauts.
🛸 Paving the Way for Gaganyaan
Shukla’s mission laid the foundation for ISRO’s upcoming Gaganyaan crewed flight, where he’s expected to take part in Gaganyaan-4 by 2027. He’s also been active in terrestrial analog missions like the Ladakh Human Analogue Mission, preparing for planetary exploration on the Moon or Mars.
🌠 A Symbol of India’s Space Dreams
Shubhanshu Shukla’s story is a testament to ambition, discipline, and national progress. From flying fighter jets to floating weightlessly in orbit, his journey inspires a new generation of Indians to look skyward and dream big.