Axiom-4 Mission: Who is Shubhanshu Shukla, who has set out historic journey to space station

Group Captain Shubhanshu Shukla of the Indian Air Force is on a historic journey to the International Space Station under the Axiom-4 mission. Let’s know who is Shubhanshu Shukla

New Delhi: Group Captain Shubhanshu Shukla of the Indian Air Force has become the pride of the country today. He has flown to the International Space Station (ISS) on 10 June under the Axiom-4 mission. Shubhanshu is going to create history as the second Indian to step into space after Rakesh Sharma. His achievement has garnered discussion not only in India but also on the global stage, reports Dynamite News correspondent.

This mission of Shubhanshu will not only add a new chapter to India's space journey, but will also prove to be important for the Gaganyaan mission.

Who Is Shubhanshu Shukla?

Born on 10 October 1985 in Lucknow, Uttar Pradesh, Shubhanshu Shukla completed his early education from City Montessori School, Lucknow. At the age of just 16, he was selected for the National Defense Academy (NDA), which is a testament to his talent and dedication. After joining the Indian Air Force in 2006, he made his mark as a skilled test pilot. Shubhanshu flew more than 2,000 hours on aircraft like Su-30 MKI, MiG-21, MiG-29, Jaguar, Dornier and An-32. His father wanted him to become an IAS, but Shubhanshu chose the path of Air Force and then space travel.

Gaganyaan And Space Training

In 2019, ISRO selected Shubhanshu Shukla as one of the four astronauts for the Gaganyaan mission. After this, he underwent rigorous training at the Yuri Gagarin Cosmonaut Training Center in Russia. This training was important in preparing for their space travel, which will now strengthen their role in the Axiom-4 mission.

What Is Axiom-4 Mission?

The Axiom-4 mission is an important step in the field of private space travel, which is the result of a partnership between NASA, Axiom Space and SpaceX. The mission has taken off on June 25, 2025 from NASA's Kennedy Space Center at 2:31 am (12:01 pm Indian time) with SpaceX's Falcon 9 rocket and new Dragon spacecraft. If everything goes according to plan, this spacecraft will dock with the International Space Station (ISS) on June 26 at 7:00 am (4:30 pm Indian time).

The Axiom-4 mission is historic for India, Poland and Hungary, as it will be the first government-sponsored human space flight of these countries after 40 years. This mission is the second human space flight for these three countries, but will be the first time these countries will complete a mission on the ISS together.

The participation of Indian astronaut Shubhanshu Shukla will add a new chapter to India's space history. The mission aims to conduct around 60 scientific studies and activities in collaboration with 31 countries, such as India, the US, Poland, Hungary, Saudi Arabia, Brazil, Nigeria, the United Arab Emirates and European countries. This mission will not only promote scientific research but will also become a symbol of global cooperation in the field of private space travel.