Shambhu Dayal Shukla, father of Indian Air Force Group Captain Shubhanshu Shukla, expressed immense pride and joy as he witnessed his son's historic launch into space aboard the Axiom Mission 4. The mission, which lifted off from NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Florida, marks India's return to the International Space Station (ISS) after 41 years and represents a significant milestone in the nation's space exploration endeavors.
Shubhanshu Shukla's journey to becoming an astronaut began with his commissioning into the Indian Air Force (IAF) in June 2006. A combat leader and seasoned test pilot, he boasts an impressive 2,000 hours of flying experience across various aircraft, including the Su-30 MKI, MiG-21, MiG-29, Jaguar, Hawk, Dornier, and An-32. In 2019, he was selected by the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) for astronaut training, leading to rigorous preparation at the Yuri Gagarin Cosmonaut Training Center in Star City, Moscow, Russia.
"This feels great," Shambhu Dayal Shukla said, his voice filled with emotion. "I feel very proud and fortunate that I am the father of such a child. This is the most joyous day of my life." He added that Shubhanshu has always been hardworking and dedicated, qualities that have propelled him to this momentous achievement. "He has always moved ahead of others. Even today, he is doing the same," he said.
Shukla's mother, Asha Shukla, echoed her husband's sentiments, praising her daughter-in-law for her unwavering support, without which, she believes, her son's achievements would not have been possible. "It is a moment of pride for us and everyone else," she said. "Posters are being put up everywhere. Everyone is delighted that a man from this country, this Triveni Nagar, is going to soar so high."
Group Captain Shukla's mission is not only a personal triumph but also a source of inspiration for the entire nation. Before leaving for the ISS, he expressed his hope that his journey would ignite curiosity among young people and inspire them to pursue their dreams. "It has been an amazing journey," he said. "These are moments that really tell you that you are getting to be a part of something that is much larger than yourself. It is my sincere endeavor through my mission to inspire an entire generation back home in the country. Even if this story, my story, is able to change one life, it would be a huge success for me."
Shubhanshu is accompanied on the Axiom Mission 4 by former NASA astronaut Peggy Whitson, who serves as the mission commander, as well as mission specialists Slawosz Uznanski-Wisniewski from Poland, and Tibor Kapu from Hungary. The crew will spend approximately two weeks aboard the ISS, conducting a series of scientific experiments, including seven designed by ISRO, covering areas such as cancer research, 3D printing, and DNA repair.
During his 14-day mission in microgravity, Shukla will also oversee the Indian experiments designed by researchers from across the country. India's participation in Axiom Mission 4 is poised to provide critical operational experience for the nation's ambitious Gaganyaan human spaceflight program and its long-term vision of sustained space presence
As Shubhanshu Shukla embarks on this historic journey, his father shared a powerful message of faith and resilience: "There is no sorrow, only happiness. There is no fear. Fear is God. God protects everyone." He also offered advice to parents and children across the country, urging them to embrace hard work as the key to success. The entire nation joins Shambhu Dayal Shukla in celebrating his son's remarkable achievement and looks forward to the contributions he will make to the advancement of space exploration.
