Astronaut Shubhanshu Shukla becomes second Indian to head to space, mission to ISS begins soon

India is gearing up for a historic space mission as Group Captain Shubhanshu Shukla prepares to lift off to the International Space Station (ISS), becoming the second Indian to travel to space after Rakesh Sharma. Shukla, a decorated fighter pilot from Lucknow, has been selected for the Indo-US collaborative Axiom-4 mission—named Mission Akash Ganga—which will launch aboard a SpaceX Crew Dragon from NASA’s Kennedy Space Center.

Shukla’s 14-day journey in low Earth orbit is expected to focus on science experiments, technology demonstrations, and youth outreach. "I carry with me not just instruments and equipment, but the hopes and dreams of a billion hearts," he said ahead of the launch. As the youngest among four astronaut designates trained under India’s Gaganyaan program, his selection reflects India’s long-term plans for deep space exploration, including a lunar mission by 2040.

The crew will be led by veteran American astronaut Dr Peggy Whitson, with Polish and Hungarian astronauts rounding out the international team. Shukla’s presence not only strengthens Indo-US space cooperation but also serves as a symbolic step forward for India’s ambitions in global spaceflight. ISRO and NASA officials believe this collaboration will pave the way for future joint missions and technological development.

Currently in pre-launch quarantine, Shukla—nicknamed "Shux" by his crewmates—will also engage in educational outreach during and after the mission, aiming to ignite scientific curiosity among Indian students. With his calm demeanor and nearly 2,000 hours of flight experience, he represents a new generation of Indian astronauts stepping into the future of human spaceflight.