Meet Shubhanshu Shukla: IAF pilot making history as India’s first man in space in 41 years

After a 41-year break, India is set to send an astronaut into space again — and the man at the centre of this historic moment is Group Captain Shubhanshu Shukla, an accomplished test pilot of the Indian Air Force.

Scheduled for launch on June 11 from NASA’s Kennedy Space Centre, Shukla will board a SpaceX Dragon spacecraft alongside a multinational crew for a two-week mission aboard the International Space Station (ISS).

This flight, operated by Axiom Space — a Texas-based private space company — marks India’s return to human spaceflight since 1984, when Rakesh Sharma made history as the first Indian in space aboard a Soviet mission. Shukla, serving as the mission pilot, will fly alongside Commander Peggy Whitson (US), Slawosz Uznanski (Poland), and Tibor Kapu (Hungary). All three of his fellow crewmembers are also embarking on their first ISS journey.

For Shukla, the mission is not just a personal milestone, but also a stepping stone for India’s ambitious space program, including the upcoming Gaganyaan human spaceflight mission set for 2027.

The Gaganyaan project envisages the demonstration of human spaceflight capability by launching a crew of 3 members to an orbit of 400 km for a 3-day mission and bringing them back safely to earth by landing in Indian sea waters.

Born and raised in Lucknow, Uttar Pradesh, Shukla has spent over two decades serving in the Indian Air Force. As a combat leader and seasoned test pilot, he has 2,000 hours of flight experience across various aircraft, including the Su-30 MKI, MiG-21, MiG-29, Jaguar, Hawk, Dornier, and An-32. His rose to the rank of group captain in March 2024.

In 2019, Shukla received a call from ISRO. He underwent intense astronaut training over the past two years, first in Russia’s renowned Yuri Gagarin Cosmonaut Training Centre and later at NASA facilities in the United States. As the co-pilot, his key responsibilities include assisting with spacecraft operations, especially the crucial task of docking with the ISS — typically an automated process, but one that requires manual intervention in case of system failures.

The excitement over Shukla’s mission has spread far beyond his hometown. Posters wishing him well adorn the streets of Lucknow, with enthusiastic residents sharing selfies next to his cutouts. Wishes have poured in from leaders across India, including Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath, who hailed the mission as “a proud moment for every Indian and every family of Uttar Pradesh.”

The Indian Air Force (IAF) sent its formal blessings too, invoking their motto: “Touch the Sky with Glory.” Retired Air Vice Marshal Sanjay Bhatnagar described Shukla as an inspiration for a new generation of Indian youth.

Beyond the symbolism, the mission carries scientific importance. As part of a collaboration between ISRO, NASA, and India’s Department of Biotechnology, Shukla will conduct space-based experiments on plant germination, space nutrition, and human physiology — critical research for sustaining life during future long-duration missions, including possible trips to the Moon or Mars.

For many, including retired Air Commodore Ravish Malhotra — backup for India’s first spaceflight in 1984 — this mission represents more than a personal achievement. It signals India’s readiness to take its place in the modern era of space exploration.

As Malhotra said, “He carries with him the inspiration of 1.4 billion Indians.”