Shubhanshu Shukla: First Indian to Travel to the ISS on NASA’s Axiom Mission 4.
Indian Air Force officer Shubhanshu Shukla is set to become the first Indian to travel to the International Space Station (ISS) as a pilot on NASA's Axiom Mission 4. Learn about his role, mission details, and his journey from IAF fighter pilot to astronaut.
Shubhanshu Shukla to Become the First Indian to Travel to the International Space Station (ISS)
Indian Air Force (IAF) officer Shubhanshu Shukla has been selected as a pilot for NASA's Axiom Mission 4 (Ax-4). He will soon travel to the International Space Station (ISS) aboard the SpaceX Dragon spacecraft.
Shubhanshu will make history as the first Indian to visit the ISS. The mission is expected to last 14 days, during which research activities will be conducted. He is also undergoing training for ISRO's Gaganyaan mission.
Alongside Shubhanshu, astronauts from Poland and Hungary will also be part of this mission.
The mission will be led by Commander Peggy Whitson, while Shubhanshu Shukla will serve as the pilot. The mission specialists, Sławosz Uznański-Wiśniewski (from Poland) and Tibor Kapu (from Hungary), will also be part of Axiom Mission-4, scheduled between April and June 2025.
Commander Peggy Whitson previously served as the commander of Axiom Mission-2 (Ax-2) and has spent over 675 days in space, making her the most experienced American astronaut.
About Shubhanshu Shukla:
Born on October 10, 1985, in Lucknow, Uttar Pradesh, India.
38 years old, a fighter pilot and squadron leader in the IAF.
Has over 2,000 hours of flight experience.
Has piloted aircraft like Sukhoi Su-30 MKI, MiG-21, MiG-29, Jaguar, Hawk, Dornier, and AN-32.
An alumnus of the National Defence Academy (NDA).
Commissioned into the IAF fighter stream on June 17, 2006.
Shubhanshu has also been selected for ISRO's Gaganyaan mission, India's first human spaceflight program, aimed at sending astronauts into space.
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