Indian Air Force (IAF) Group Captain Shubhanshu Shukla is poised to make history in May, becoming the next Indian astronaut to travel to space, four decades after Rakesh Sharma’s groundbreaking mission.
Shukla is scheduled to fly to the International Space Station (ISS) in May 2025 as part of the Axiom Mission 4 (Ax-4), Union Minister Jitendra Singh confirmed on Friday, April 18.
The announcement came following the Minister’s review of the Department of Space and the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) activities in New Delhi.
“Group Captain Shukla’s journey is more than just a flight – it’s a signal that India is stepping boldly into a new era of space exploration,” stated Mr. Singh.
A decorated test pilot, Group Captain Shukla was born on October 10, 1985, in Lucknow, Uttar Pradesh, and is fluent in English and Hindi. Commissioned into the IAF’s fighter wing in June 2006, he rose through the ranks, becoming a combat leader and achieving the rank of Group Captain in March 2024. His extensive experience includes approximately 2,000 hours of flying various aircraft such as the Su-30 MKI, MiG-21, MiG-29, Jaguar, Hawk, Dornier, and An-32.
Shukla’s path to space began in 2019 when he was shortlisted under ISRO’s Human Spaceflight Program. He underwent a rigorous year-long training program at the Yuri Gagarin Cosmonaut Training Center in Star City, Moscow. On February 27, 2024, Prime Minister Narendra Modi officially named him among the four elite astronauts training for India’s ambitious maiden human spaceflight mission, Gaganyaan, which is targeting a 2025 launch. Group Captain Shukla is considered one of the top contenders for the Gaganyaan crew.
His upcoming Ax-4 mission is seen as a crucial preparatory step for Gaganyaan. An official statement highlighted that the journey aboard Axiom-4 will provide invaluable hands-on experience in critical areas like spaceflight operations, launch protocols, adapting to microgravity, and emergency preparedness – all vital components for India’s own crewed space ambitions.
Minister Singh said that this mission marks a significant milestone in India’s expanding international collaborations in the space sector. The official statement further elaborated on the strategic nature of Shukla’s flight: “What sets Shukla’s mission apart is its strategic importance. Unlike the symbolic undertones of India’s first human spaceflight, this time the focus is on operational readiness and global integration.”
Minister Singh reiterated that collaborations with international partners and the momentum behind projects like Gaganyaan reflect India’s firm commitment to becoming a global leader in space technology. He added that these ambitious space endeavors are not merely scientific pursuits but are deeply aligned with the national vision of a developed and self-reliant India (‘Atmanirbhar Bharat’).
As he prepares to pilot the Ax-4 mission to the ISS, Group Captain Shukla expressed that he is honored and excited to contribute to India’s remarkable advancements in human space exploration.
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