Shubhanshu Shukla becomes second Indian in orbit

(June 27, 2025) “Namaste from Space,” that’s how astronaut and Indian Air Force officer Shubhanshu Shukla greeted from the SpaceX’s Dragon spacecraft. “What a ride! We have returned to space after a gap of 41 years and what an amazing ride it was,” added the 39-year-old who became the second Indian to travel to space as a part of Axiom-4 mission.

Shubhanshu Shukla

It was in the wee hours of June 25 that Shubhanshu Shukla along with the crew took off from NASA’s spaceport in Florida and within ten minutes entered the orbit around the Earth. “Kya kamaal ki ride thi (what an amazing ride),” he exclaimed, adding, “When I was sitting in the capsule on the launchpad, the only thought in my mind was: let’s just go. When the ride started, it was something – you getting pushed back in the seat. It was an amazing ride. And then suddenly nothing. You are floating in vacuum.” This marks the first time an Indian has travelled to orbital space since Rakesh Sharma in 1984. The historic moment when then PM Indira Gandhi asked how India looked from the space, Rakesh Sharma had famously replied, “Saare jahaan se achcha.” And now 41 years later, Shubhanshu Shukla has taken the tricolour to space. “The Tiranga (Tricolour) on my shoulders tells me that I am not alone and I am with all of you.”

India Returns to Human Spaceflight with Shukla’s ISS Journey

It’s a proud moment for Shukla, who along with astronauts from Poland, Hungary, the United States is orbiting the earth, making him the first Indian onboard the International Space Station (ISS).

“We are orbiting the earth at a speed of 7.5 km per second… This is not just the beginning of my journey to the International Space Station, but the beginning of India’s human space programme and it is my desire that all the countrymen become a part of this journey,” Group Captain Shukla said, adding, “Your chest, too, should swell with pride… Together, let’s embark on this journey of India’s Human Space Programme. Jai Hind! Jai Bharat.” The Dragon capsule docked at ISS on June 26, 28 hours after launch from Earth.

Shubhanshu Shukla

Group Captain Shukla has made history by travelling to the International Space Station with three others, as part of a commercial mission by Axiom Space. The trip to the ISS on Ax-4 — a commercial flight by Houston-based Axiom Space — is a joint effort by NASA, India’s space agency ISRO, the European Space Agency (ESA), and SpaceX. The 14-day mission aboard the ISS marks the return to human spaceflight for India, Poland, and Hungary.

On June 25, 2025, Group Captain Shukla launched into space aboard the SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket, turning a childhood dream — sparked by an air show — into reality. As mission pilot on Axiom Space’s Ax-4, Group Captain Shubhanshu Shukla will be supporting key parts of the journey — from launch and docking to re-entry. While aboard the ISS, he’s expected to take part in over 60 experiments. These include studies on how microgravity affects blood sugar levels and insulin delivery, along with early tests on growing Indian food staples like methi and moong dal in space.

Training for Gaganyaan, Flying with Axiom

When Prime Minister Modi visited the U.S. in 2023 and met the then President Joe Biden, the two leaders agreed to work together on a mission to the International Space Station in 2024. Following through on that promise, ISRO recently sent two astronauts from its upcoming Gaganyaan mission to the U.S. for training. Indian Air Force Wing Commander Shubhanshu Shukla was selected as the primary astronaut, with Group Captain Prashanth Balakrishnan Nair named as his backup. And now after months of training and preparation, Shubhanshu Shukla has finally made his entry into space, thanks to the US-India partnership in space.

This mission is also a big step for India’s space journey. The experience Shukla gains here will help pave the way for Gaganyaan — India’s first human spaceflight, set for 2027. He was one of four Indian Air Force officers shortlisted for Gaganyaan.

From Fighter Pilot to India’s Youngest Astronaut-Designate

Born in Lucknow in 1985, Shubhanshu Shukla was just 14 when the Kargil War began — a moment that left a lasting impression. Then a student at City Montessori School, he was deeply moved by stories of courage and sacrifice. Two years later, without telling his parents, he applied to the National Defence Academy. On June 17, 2006, he was commissioned into the Indian Air Force’s fighter stream, becoming the first in his family to join the armed forces.

Now a Fighter Combat Leader and test pilot, Shukla has logged close to 2,000 hours of flying. Over the years, he has flown a wide range of aircraft, including the Sukhoi-30MKI, MiG-21, MiG-29, Hawk, Jaguar, Dornier, and An-32.

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Shubhanshu Shukla began his astronaut journey in 2019, entering the selection process through the Institute of Aerospace Medicine (IAM), a wing of the Indian Air Force. He was later chosen as one of the final four candidates by IAM and ISRO. In 2020, he traveled to Russia along with the other selected astronauts for basic space training, which he completed in 2021. After returning to India, he continued his preparation at the Astronaut Training Facility in Bengaluru.

Now, at 39, Shukla has been selected for a mission that highlights the growing collaboration between India and the United States. He is the youngest astronaut-designate ever chosen, marking a major milestone in his journey from fighter pilot to spacefarer.

As the second Indian to travel to space, Shubhanshu Shukla marks an important step in India’s space journey. His years of training, flying experience, and hard work have led to this milestone. His mission shows how far India’s space program has come and encourages young people to dream big in science and space. It also reflects the strength of global teamwork and what humans can achieve together.