Axiom Mission 4 launched from Kennedy Space Center in Florida on 25 June 2025, carrying Group Captain Shubhanshu Shukla into orbit. By docking with the International Space Station the following day, he became the first Indian astronaut to visit the facility and only the second Indian national to travel into outer space in history.
Early Development and Military Career
Born on 10 October 1985 in Lucknow, Shukla is the son of Shambhu Dayal and Asha. Following his education at the City Montessori School, he entered the National Defence Academy and later the Indian Air Force Academy. He was commissioned as a flying officer in 2006. Over his military tenure, he accumulated more than 2,000 flight hours, operating diverse aircraft such as the MiG-21, Su-30MKI, and the Jaguar. By 2024, he achieved the rank of group captain.
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In 2019, the Institute of Aerospace Medicine selected Shukla for the Gaganyaan programme, India's national human spaceflight initiative. He completed foundational training at the Yuri Gagarin Cosmonaut Training Center in Russia between 2020 and 2021. Further preparation occurred at ISRO's Astronaut Training Facility in Bengaluru, supplemented by a Master of Engineering in aerospace engineering from the Indian Institute of Science. On 27 February 2024, he was officially named part of the Gaganyaan-4 astronaut team.
Orbital Mission and Scientific Contribution
On 2 August 2024, ISRO confirmed Shukla would join the commercially organized Axiom Mission 4. Serving as mission pilot alongside Peggy Whitson, Sławosz Uznański-Wiśniewski, and Tibor Kapu, he spent two weeks aboard the International Space Station. His activities included approximately 60 scientific experiments, seven of which were designated specifically by ISRO. Throughout his stay, he conducted live outreach events, including a videoconference with Prime Minister Narendra Modi and various sessions via ham radio with students.
Recognition and Public Impact
The Indian government invested approximately ₹5.48 billion in the mission to secure Shukla's placement. Following his return, he received the Ashoka Chakra in 2026, the nation's highest peacetime military honor. In May 2026, he was also appointed as a fellow for the Karman Project, further solidifying his role within the global aerospace community.
Fast facts
- Born: 10 October 1985, Lucknow, India
- Commissioned into Indian Air Force: June 2006
- Rank: Group Captain
- Selected for Gaganyaan: 2019
- Axiom Mission 4 Launch: 25 June 2025
- Astronaut Pin Number: 634th person in space
- Education: Bachelor of Science, Jawaharlal Nehru University
- Award: Ashoka Chakra (2026)
Questions readers ask
What was the total cost of Shukla's space mission seat?
Estimates indicate the Indian government provided approximately ₹5.48 billion, or $57 million, for his seat on the mission.
Was he the first Indian to travel to outer space?
No, he is the second. Rakesh Sharma was the first Indian to travel to outer space in 1984.
Achievements
- Educated at National Defence Academy
- Worked as test pilot and astronaut
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