The Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) has named Group Captain Shubhanshu Shukla as the lead astronaut for the upcoming Axiom Mission-4 (Ax-4), a collaborative Indo-US mission to the International Space Station (ISS). This is a historic milestone for India’s space program, as Shukla will be the first Indian astronaut to travel to the ISS.
About Group Captain Shubhanshu Shukla:
- Experienced Fighter Pilot: Shukla currently serves as a fighter combat test pilot in the Indian Air Force, with over 2,000 flying hours across various aircraft, including the Sukhoi-30MKI, Mig-21, and Mig-29.
- Inspired by Kargil War: He was motivated to join the armed forces by stories of valor from the 1999 Kargil War.
- Academic Background: Shukla completed his schooling at City Montessori School in Lucknow and later joined the National Defence Academy, commissioning into the IAF in 2006.
- Family Life: He is married to a dentist and has a four-year-old son. Shukla is the first member of his family to serve in the armed forces.
- Path to Space: His journey to becoming an astronaut started in 2018-2019 when he enrolled in the astronaut program. He underwent extensive training in Russia during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Shukla has been selected as the primary astronaut for the mission, with Group Captain Prasanth Balakrishnan as his backup. Both will begin their mission-specific training in early August 2024. Shukla was also one of the four astronauts initially chosen for India’s first human spaceflight mission, Gaganyaan, which is slated for launch in 2025.
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