Group Captain Shubhanshu Shukla’s recent mission to the International Space Station (ISS) as part of Axiom Mission 4 (Ax-4) is indeed a landmark moment for India’s space program. He is currently on his way back to Earth, with splashdown expected on July 15, 2025.
Here are 10 interesting facts about Group Captain Shubhanshu Shukla and his historic space journey:
- Second Indian in Space, First on ISS: Shubhanshu Shukla is only the second Indian citizen to travel to space, following Wing Commander Rakesh Sharma’s mission aboard Salyut 7 in 1984. Crucially, he is the first Indian astronaut to visit the International Space Station (ISS).
- Part of India’s Gaganyaan Program: He is one of the four astronaut-designates (Gaganyatris) for India’s ambitious indigenous human spaceflight mission, Gaganyaan, which is expected to launch in 2025 or 2026. His ISS experience is crucial training for this mission.
- Mission Pilot for Axiom Mission 4 (Ax-4): Shukla served as the mission pilot for Ax-4, a privately organized mission to the ISS, a collaboration involving Axiom Space, NASA, SpaceX, and ISRO.
- Launched Aboard SpaceX Falcon 9: His journey to space began with a successful launch on June 25, 2025, aboard a SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket from NASA’s Kennedy Space Center in Florida.
- 18 Days of Science in Microgravity: He spent 18 days on the ISS, actively participating in over 60 diverse scientific experiments. These experiments covered fields like biology, materials science, human health, and artificial intelligence.
- ISRO-Specific Experiments: A significant aspect of his mission involved conducting at least seven microgravity experiments specifically designed by the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO). These experiments, including studies on Indian strains of tardigrades, myogenesis, and the sprouting of methi and moong seeds, will provide vital data for India’s future space missions, especially Gaganyaan.
- Echoed Rakesh Sharma’s Iconic Words: In a poignant farewell message from the ISS, Shukla echoed Rakesh Sharma’s famous “Saare jahan se accha” (Better than the whole world) quote, adding that “Today’s India looks ambitious, fearless, confident, and proud” from space.
- Engaged in Public Outreach: During his stay, he participated in several public outreach activities, including a live videoconference with Prime Minister Narendra Modi on June 28 and ham radio conversations with school students back in India on July 4 and July 8, inspiring the next generation.
- Rigorous Training Background: A decorated Group Captain and test pilot with the Indian Air Force (IAF), Shukla has over 2,000 flight hours on various aircraft. He underwent extensive basic astronaut training at the Yuri Gagarin Cosmonaut Training Center in Russia (2020-2021) and further specialized training at NASA’s Johnson Space Center in Houston.
- Significant Investment in Experience: The Indian government reportedly paid an estimated ₹548 crore (approx. US$65 million) for Shukla’s seat on the Ax-4 mission, highlighting the strategic importance India places on gaining human spaceflight experience.
He is currently on his way back from space and expected to touch down at around 3 PM IST.
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