India is celebrating a big moment in its space history. Group Captain Shubhanshu Shukla, an Indian Air Force pilot, has become the second Indian ever to travel to space — and the first to visit NASA’s International Space Station (ISS).
The mission, called Axiom-4 (Ax-4), launched from NASA’s Kennedy Space Center in Florida on Wednesday. It’s been 41 years since Rakesh Sharma made history as the first Indian in space in 1984.
A Global Team, A Proud Nation
The Ax-4 mission is a private spaceflight led by Axiom Space, in partnership with NASA, India’s ISRO, SpaceX, and the European Space Agency (ESA).
- Shukla is joined by astronauts from Poland and Hungary – both also returning to space after over 40 years.
- The mission is commanded by Peggy Whitson, a NASA veteran who has already spent over 675 days in space.
ISRO paid around ₹500 crore ($59 million) for Shukla’s training and seat on this mission.
“We’re Back in Space!”
Just minutes after takeoff, Shukla sent a message home:
“We’re back in space after 41 years… I carry the Indian flag on my shoulder. This is just the beginning of India’s human spaceflight journey.”
The launch sparked celebrations across India. In his hometown Lucknow, students cheered as the rocket lifted off, and his parents were welcomed with music and applause. Prime Minister Narendra Modi called the moment “a proud milestone” for all 1.4 billion Indians.
Who is Shubhanshu Shukla?
- Born in 1985, Shukla joined the Indian Air Force in 2006.
- He’s a fighter pilot with over 2,000 hours of flying experience on aircraft like MiGs, Sukhois, Jaguars, and Hawks.
- Last year, he was one of four IAF officers chosen to train for India’s first human spaceflight, planned for 2027.
He says this past year has been “life-changing” and that he’s carrying “the dreams of a billion hearts” into orbit.
What Will He Do in Space?
Shukla and the Ax-4 crew will spend two weeks aboard the ISS.
Their mission includes:
- Running 60 science experiments – 7 of them from India.
- Talking with Indian students and possibly with Prime Minister Modi while in orbit.
Some of the Indian experiments include:
- Testing crop seeds to see how they behave in space.
- Growing microalgae that could be used for food, fuel, or life support in future space missions.
- Studying tardigrades (tiny animals that can survive extreme conditions).
- Understanding muscle loss, screen use, and mental effects in microgravity.
A Big Step for India’s Space Future
ISRO says this mission will give them valuable insights as India aims higher:
- A space station by 2035.
- An Indian on the Moon by 2040.
Group Captain Shukla’s trip marks the start of a new space era for India — not just a proud moment, but a step towards becoming a major player in human space exploration.
