After a wait of 41 years, India is once again sending one of its own to space. Wing Commander Shubhanshu Shukla is set to become the second Indian to venture beyond Earth's atmosphere, following in the footsteps of Rakesh Sharma, who flew aboard a Soviet spacecraft in 1984. Shukla's journey marks a significant milestone in India's burgeoning space program, highlighting the nation's growing capabilities and ambitions in space exploration.
Shukla's path to space began with the Indian Air Force (IAF), where he served as a test pilot. His dedication and expertise led to his selection as one of the four astronaut-designates for the Indian Space Research Organisation's (ISRO) Gaganyaan mission, India's first human spaceflight program. The other three astronaut-designates are Group Captains Prasanth Balakrishnan Nair, Ajit Krishnan, and Angad Pratap. All four are test pilots from the Aircraft and Systems Testing Establishment in Bengaluru.
These four astronauts underwent rigorous training in Russia at the Yuri Gagarin Cosmonaut Training Center, the same facility where Rakesh Sharma prepared for his spaceflight. Their training encompassed a wide range of skills, including survival techniques, handling weightlessness, and adapting to extreme G-forces. Following their training in Russia, the astronauts have continued mission-specific training in India.
While Shukla is part of the Gaganyaan program, his upcoming trip to the International Space Station (ISS) is through a different avenue: the Axiom Mission 4 (Ax-4). This mission is a private collaboration between NASA, SpaceX, and Axiom Space, aiming to strengthen international cooperation in spaceflight. As part of Ax-4, Shukla will serve as a pilot alongside commander Peggy Whitson and mission specialists Sławosz Uznański-Wiśniewski and Tibor Kapu. The launch is scheduled for today, June 25, 2025, at 12:01 PM. Fellow ISRO astronaut Prasanth Nair has been designated as the backup crew member.
The Gaganyaan mission, while still in development, aims to send Indian astronauts into low-Earth orbit, approximately 400 km above the Earth, and safely return them after a few days. ISRO is targeting the first quarter of 2027 for the first crewed Gaganyaan mission, which has been delayed due to the COVID-19 pandemic and the complexity of developing new technologies. Before the crewed mission, ISRO plans to launch three uncrewed missions to test the rocket and ground infrastructure. The first uncrewed mission, G1, is scheduled for later this year and will feature Vyomitra, a half-humanoid robot designed to collect data in flight. The second and third uncrewed missions, G2 and G3, are planned for 2026 and will also include Vyomitra.
The Gaganyaan program is not just about sending humans to space; it's also about developing indigenous technologies and fostering scientific advancement. ISRO has developed key systems such as the Environment Control and Life Support System (ECLSS), which will regulate cabin pressure, air quality, humidity, and temperature for the astronauts. The program also aims to encourage participation from researchers and engineers in various sectors, contributing to India's emergence as a self-reliant space power.
Shukla's flight on the Ax-4 mission will provide valuable experience and insights for the Gaganyaan program. His participation in the mission is a testament to his skills and the growing recognition of India's capabilities in space. It also symbolizes India's long-term economic and strategic aspirations in space. The mission will involve around 60 scientific studies and activities representing 31 countries, including the US, India, Poland, Hungary, Saudi Arabia, and nations across Europe.
As India looks forward to the Gaganyaan mission in 2027 and beyond, Shukla's journey to the ISS serves as an inspiration and a reminder of the country's potential in space exploration. It marks a new chapter in India's space journey, building upon the legacy of Rakesh Sharma and paving the way for future generations of Indian astronauts.
