In a moment that rekindled the dreams of a billion hearts, Group Captain Shubhranshu Shukla etched his name into history as the first Indian astronaut to board the International Space Station (ISS). His journey aboard the Axiom Mission 4 (Ax-4), launched on June 25, 2025, marked India’s triumphant return to human spaceflight after 41 years, following in the footsteps of Rakesh Sharma’s legendary 1984 mission.
A Launch Rooted in Legacy:
The Ax-4 mission lifted off from Launch Complex 39A at NASA’s Kennedy Space Center in Florida—the same hallowed ground that once launched Apollo 11. Shukla, a decorated Indian Air Force test pilot and ISRO astronaut, was joined by mission commander Peggy Whitson, and fellow astronauts Tibor Kapu of Hungary and Sławosz Uznanski-Wiśniewski of Poland.
After a 28-hour journey aboard the SpaceX Dragon capsule, the crew successfully docked with the ISS on June 26 at 4:03 PM IST, completing a flawless orbital rendezvous.
A Nation’s Pride in Orbit:
As Shukla floated into the ISS, he became astronaut number 634, a title bestowed upon him by Whitson. In his first message from space, he said, “It has been a wonderful ride… Whatever expectations I had before coming here were surpassed by the view, of course — that’s a big part of it — but you guys as well. So, thank you so much”.
He later addressed the nation in Hindi, saying, “Thanks to your love and blessings, I safely reached the International Space Station… This is the first step on this journey. We will conduct many experiments and make India proud”.
The Man Behind the Mission:
Born in Lucknow, Uttar Pradesh, Shukla is a graduate of the National Defence Academy and a seasoned test pilot with over 2,000 hours of flying experience across multiple aircraft, including the Su-30 MKI and MiG-29.
Selected in 2019 as part of ISRO’s first Vyomanaut group, he underwent rigorous training in Russia and India before being chosen for this landmark mission.
Science, Symbolism, and the Future:
During their 14-day stay aboard the ISS, the Ax-4 crew will conduct over 60 scientific experiments, including several proposed by Indian researchers. These range from microgravity effects on human physiology and nutrition to seed germination in space.
Shukla will also participate in outreach programs, including a live interaction with students back on Earth.
This mission, born from a 2023 Indo-US space cooperation agreement, is not just a scientific endeavor—it’s a symbol of India’s growing stature in global space exploration.
A Family’s Joy, A Nation’s Celebration:
Back home, Shukla’s family watched with pride and emotion. His mother, Asha Shukla, was seen wiping away tears of joy, while his father, Shambhu Dayal Shukla, said, “God has truly blessed our son. Our entire family is filled with immense happiness and thankfulness”.
A New Dawn:
Shubhranshu Shukla’s journey is more than a personal triumph—it’s a beacon for India’s space ambitions, a reminder that the stars are within reach. As he orbits Earth at 7.5 km per second, he carries with him the hopes, dreams, and pride of 1.4 billion Indians.
And somewhere, perhaps, a young child in a small town is now dreaming of space—not as a distant fantasy, but as a future within grasp.
-Team Yuva Aayeg
Praveen Kumar Maurya
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