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Shubhanshu Shukla: What you didn’t know about the space-bound hero from Lucknow

Sandy Verma | June 11, 2025 10:24 AM CST

Some stories just feel cinematic. Like a kid from the historic streets of Lucknow growing up to soar past the clouds and into space. That’s exactly what’s happening with Group Captain Shubhanshu Shukla, a top-tier pilot from the Indian Air Force (IAF) who’s now getting ready to become one of the few Indians to ever leave Earth’s atmosphere. At just 39, Shukla is stepping into history. He’s been chosen as one of the astronauts for India’s first-ever human spaceflight mission, Gaganyaan, led by ISRO. But before that giant leap, he’s heading out on a pretty big deal too—Axiom Mission 4 (Ax-4)—a private spaceflight to the International Space Station (ISS). If all goes to plan, he’ll be the first Indian to ever visit the ISS and just the second Indian in space, after Rakesh Sharma way back in 1984.

From fighter jets to spacecrafts

Born on October 10, 1985, in Lucknow, Shubhanshu’s journey has been anything but ordinary. After finishing school, he joined the Indian Air Force in 2006 and never looked back. Over the years, he’s flown some of the biggest birds in the sky—from Su-30 MKIs and MiG-21s to Jaguars, Hawks, Dornier, and An-32s. He’s not just a pilot—he’s a combat leader and a test pilot, with over 2,000 hours of flying under his belt. By March 2024, he’d already earned the title of Group Captain, and that’s not handed out easily. It came after years of dedication, leadership, and some serious flying chops.

The call from ISRO

In 2019, he got that call from ISRO—the one that changed everything. He was picked as one of the few candidates for India’s upcoming space mission. Next stop? Star City, Moscow—home to the Yuri Gagarin Cosmonaut Training Center, where Russia trains its astronauts. Training there wasn’t a walk in the park. Shukla had to prep for zero gravity, harsh reentry scenarios, emergency water landings—you name it. Think astronaut boot camp, but Russian-style. “The training reshaped how I think, react, and survive,” he later said. Not your typical 9 to 5. Then, on February 27, 2024, Prime Minister Narendra Modi officially introduced him to the nation as one of the chosen astronauts for the Gaganyaan mission. Standing in his Air Force blues, Shukla wasn’t just representing himself—he was carrying the dreams of over a billion Indians.

First stop: The International Space Station

Before heading off on Gaganyaan, Shukla will be flying high on Axiom Mission 4, set to launch on June 11, 2025, from NASA’s Kennedy Space Center in Florida. He’ll be aboard SpaceX’s Falcon 9 rocket inside a Crew Dragon capsule—how cool is that? He’ll be joined by Peggy Whitson from the US (a total space legend), Tibor Kapu from Hungary, and Sławosz Uznański-Wiśniewski from Poland. Their mission? Spend about two to three weeks aboard the ISS, running experiments, sharing knowledge, and representing international cooperation in space. For India, this is huge. No Indian has ever stepped foot on the ISS. Shukla’s mission is a symbol of how far we’ve come and how closely we’re working with global space agencies.

Calm, cool, and all about the mission

Despite the attention, Shukla keeps things super low-key. He doesn’t chase the spotlight or post flashy updates. He’s the kind of guy who lets his work do the talking. Everyone who’s met him says the same: sharp mind, steady hands, humble heart. He’s fluent in English and Hindi, sharp under pressure, and always calm—a trait that’s crucial when you’re orbiting 400 km above Earth. His colleagues say he brings a quiet confidence that helps others stay grounded—even when they’re not.

Gaganyaan: The Main Event

Once the Ax-4 mission wraps, Shukla will be back in the spotlight for Gaganyaan, which is expected to launch sometime in 2025. He’s one of four astronauts selected, and many believe he’ll be piloting the mission—or even commanding it. If he does, he’ll make history again as the first Indian to head into space aboard an Indian-made rocket, from Indian soil. It’ll be our country’s first step into fully crewed space exploration—a realm currently ruled by only a few nations like the US, Russia, and China.

A new chapter in Indian space history

Back in 1984, when Rakesh Sharma looked down at Earth and said, “Saare jahan se achha,” it became an iconic moment in Indian history. Fast forward four decades, and we might soon hear Shubhanshu Shukla’s voice echoing from space with a brand-new message for India. From the narrow lanes of Lucknow to floating inside the ISS, his journey is the stuff of dreams. But it’s also a reminder of what focus, grit, and a bit of sky-high ambition can achieve. So remember the name. When that rocket takes off, it’s not just a mission—it’s the moment India touches the stars again. And Group Captain Shubhanshu Shukla will be right there, leading the way.