Subhanshu Shukla Makes History: India’s Flag Flies on the International Space Station
Subhanshu Shukla has become the first Indian to travel to the International Space Station (ISS), marking a significant milestone for the nation’s space program. This achievement follows in the footsteps of राकेश Sharma, who made India’s first space journey in 1984. Shukla, a Group Captain, is part of a four-person crew aboard the Expedition 71 mission, launched aboard a SpaceX Falcon-9 rocket.
Historic Launch from Kennedy Space Center
The SpaceX Falcon-9 rocket successfully launched Shukla and three other astronauts – American Peggy Whitson, Hungarian Tibor Kapitány, and Polish Slavomír Ulanovský-Vlček – from Florida’s Kennedy Space Center on June 6, 2025. The launch occurred at 12:01 PM Indian Standard Time. This mission represents a return to human spaceflight for India after 41 years.
A Journey of Dedication and Preparation
Born on October 10, 1985, in Lucknow, Subhanshu Shukla’s journey to space began with his schooling at City Montessori School. He subsequently joined the National Defence Academy (NDA) and became a part of the Indian Air Force in 2006. He has accumulated over 2000 hours of flight experience piloting aircraft such as the MiG-29, Su-30, Jaguar, and Dornier-228.
Shukla further honed his expertise by earning an M.Tech in Aerospace Engineering from the Indian Institute of Science (IISc), Bangalore. In 2019, he was promoted to Wing Commander and selected for the astronaut selection process organized by the Institute of Aerospace Medicine the same year. He completed basic astronaut training at the Russian Gagarin Cosmonaut Training Center in 2021 and continued his training at ISRO’s Astronaut Training Centre. He was promoted to Group Captain in 2024.
A Childhood Dream Realized
According to his elder sister, Shuchi Shukla, a childhood airshow ignited Shukla’s dream of flight. At that moment, he declared his ambition to fly aircraft and reach the heights of space.
Scientific Contributions and Promoting STEM
During his mission, Subhanshu Shukla will participate in 60 scientific experiments, seven of which are specifically focused on Indian research. These experiments are considered crucial for advancing Indian science, innovation, and technological research. Prior to launch, Shukla emphasized his desire to inspire the younger generation in India to pursue careers in science and space exploration.
A Taste of Home in Space
Each astronaut is permitted to bring a favorite food from their home country. Shukla selected mango juice, Indian curry, and rice. Other crew members also brought traditional dishes from their respective nations.
Family Pride and National Celebration
Shukla’s parents, Shambhu Dayal Shukla and Asha Shukla, watched the historic launch live from City Montessori School in Lucknow. Shukla is the youngest of four children and the first member of his family to join the armed forces.
India’s Space Heritage – A Step Towards Gaganayaan
Subhanshu Shukla was selected for India’s first human space mission, ‘Gaganyaan,’ in 2019. He is part of the training team alongside Prashant Nair, Angad Pratap, and Ajit Krishnan. Gaganyaan is currently slated for launch in 2027. Prashant Nair, a backup astronaut and fellow crew member, noted Shukla’s exceptional focus and dedication, attributing his success to his unwavering commitment to achieving his goals.
The Indian government celebrated the mission’s success with a resolution passed in a cabinet meeting chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, recognizing it as a symbol of the aspirations and pride of the 140 crore Indian population.
