Shubhanshu Shukla: From Lucknow’s Streets to the Stars Above. He missed his sister’s wedding to hit the NDA exams.

Shubhanshu Shukla becomes first Indian on ISS to Complete Axiom Mission – explore the inspiring journey, the mission details, and what this historic moment means for India’s space future.

India has seen many sons rise high, yet only a few have truly reached the stars. One such name now carved in our nation’s history is Group Captain Shubhanshu Shukla. He is a pilot, a test officer, and now a space traveler who took the Indian tricolour to the International Space Station (ISS) with Axiom Mission 4. Shubhanshu Shukla story isn’t just about tech or space—it’s about bravery, grit, and that quiet spirit of patriotism from Lucknow’s streets inspiring to indian

Shubhanshu Shukla Childhood Filled with Dreams, desire and Discipline

Born in 1985 in Triveni Nagar, Lucknow(lko), Shubhanshu Shukla came from a middle-class family. Shubhanshu Shukla father, Shambhu Dayal Shukla, had a govt service & Shubhanshu Shukla mom, Asha Shukla, housewife. The youngest of three kids, Shubhanshu was very polite and  soft-spoken and curious. He was super focused from the start.

What really made him different wasn’t just brains but a fire inside. That spark grew during the Kargil War in 1999. It touched his heart deeply. Inspired by Indian soldiers’ bravery, he chose to serve the nation.

In December 2001, while Shubhanshu Shukla sister’s wedding was going on, Shubhanshu Shukla made a quiet move. He left home without a word to take the National Defence Academy (NDA) exam entrance. While the family enjoyed a wedding, he quietly aimed for a bigger future.

Training to Fly: The Military Journey

Shubhanshu Shukla passed the NDA exam and joined the famous National Defence Academy in Pune. He wrapped up his B.Sc. in Computer Science by 2005. That year, too, he started pilot training at the Indian Air Force Academy and was brought into the IAF Fighter Stream in 2006.

Through time, Shubhanshu Shukla career was flying high! He flew over 10 different types of aircraft like:

* Su-30 MKI
* MiG-21
* MiG-29
* Jaguar
* Dornier 228
* An-32
* Hawk Trainer Jet

Flight wasn’t his only stop.

With an academic thirst, he pursued an M.Tech in Aerospace Engineering from the great Indian Institute of Science (IISc), Bangalore. And he kept flying operationally.

His deep grasp of engineering and hands-on flying skill landed him the badge of a test pilot—a very elite & risky role in the IAF.

The Space Dream: A New Era for India

In 2019, India pumped up its human spaceflight plan called Gaganyaan. Shubhanshu was among the chosen few Indian Air Force members for astronaut training.

Alongside three other IAF officers, he headed to Star City, Russia to train at Yuri Gagarin Cosmonaut Training Center. Over 12 months, he trained in zero gravity, did medical tests, simulations, underwater capsule escapes, and learned Russian protocols.

By 2021, he was back in India and began advanced astronaut simulations at ISRO’s Astronaut Training spot in Bangalore. He also took on tasks for payload tests and psychological readiness.

In February 2024, Prime Minister Narendra Modi announced him as India’s rep for an international space mission. This wasn’t Gaganyaan but Axiom Mission 4.

Axiom Mission 4: What It Meant

Axiom Space, an American company, works with NASA to run missions to the ISS. Their fourth mission involved astronauts from the USA, Poland, Hungary—& India too.

Initially set for June 10, it faced delays due to:

* A small liquid oxygen leak in Falcon 9 rocket.
* A technical air leak in Russian Zvezda piece aboard the ISS.

Finally, on June 25, 2025, at 2:31 AM EDT (or 12:01 PM IST), Crew Dragon lifted off from Kennedy Space Center, Florida.

Crew Members:

* Peggy Whitson (USA) – Commander
* Sławosz Uznański (Poland) – Mission Specialist
* Tibor Kapu (Hungary) – Mission Specialist
* Shubhanshu Shukla (India) – Pilot

They docked with the International Space Station on June 26 at Harmony Module. Shubhanshu Shukla journey was planned for about 14 days.

Experiments Aboard the ISS

Shubhanshu wasn’t there just for show—his mission was linked to vital science for India’s Gaganyaan plans. Among over 60 experiments there, seven were led by Indian teams:

1. Microgravity Muscle Study – How zero gravity affects muscle loss & regrowth.
2. Microalgae Research – Testing if cyanobacteria can provide oxygen/food in space.
3. Seed Germination – Checking how moong & methi seeds grow beyond Earth.
4. Cognitive Function & Human-Computer Interaction – Watching mental sharpness in zero gravity.
5. Space Habitability Protocols – Exploring comfort zones & mental wellness for future missions.
6. Indian Cuisine Testing – Seeing how foods like gajar halwa & moong dal halwa are in space.
7. Sensor Prototyping for Gaganyaan – Test runs of tools planned for future ISRO astronauts.

Role as Mission Pilot

Shubhanshu had tasks like:

* Piloting & navigation during crucial phases
* Manual control if needed in emergencies
* Connecting astronauts and mission control (NASA & ISRO)
* Watching over Indian experiments and tech

He was among those trained to take full manual hold of Crew Dragon if it was ever required.

What Did He Take to Space?

He brought more than just gear! He carried India’s soul with him:

* A toy swan for zero gravity demo
* Traditional sweets: gajar halwa & moong dal halwa with mango nectar
* A personal tribute gift for Rakesh Sharma, India’s first astronaut

The Return Journey

After successful docking and experiments completed at ISS, the crew returned around July 9–10, 2025. Crew Dragon safely landed in the Pacific Ocean near California’s coast.

Shubhanshu became India’s first to visit the ISS and second ever in space after Rakesh Sharma (1984).

Family, Emotions & Cultural Echoes

Back home in Lucknow, his mom prayed and recited Sundar Kand for his safe travel. His wife Dr. Kamna Mishra & their young boy watched his journey filled with pride and hope.

Carrying culture, values & traditions with him—showing that even in space, an Indian soul beats strong.

What About His Salary?

Many thought he might earn crores! Fact is:

As Group Captain at IAF, he earns about ₹1.8–2 lakh monthly.

He got no extra payment from NASA or Axiom.

The mission was backed by the government—a duty not a deal.

Globally seen—NASA astronauts earn from $66k–$144k yearly but Shubhanshu’s flight wasn’t about money—it was service!

National Significance

His journey ticks off several national goals:

* Prepping India for Gaganyaan Human Spaceflight (2026–2027)
* Testing Indian foods & sensors and astronaut psyche on real missions
* Gearing up ISRO for long-duration journeys
* Bolstering global ties (NASA, ESA, Axiom & Russia)

He turned into a living mark of New India’s space dreams.

Conclusion: The Man Who Reached the Stars

Shubhanshu isn’t just an astronaut. He’s a son—a soldier—a scientist. A sign of what India today can achieve! From a Lucknow lad missing his sister’s wedding to guide spacecraft—his life assures us that dreams paired with discipline can rewrite history!

“I went to space—but it felt like the journey of 1.4 billion Indians.” — Shubhanshu Shukla

if this story moved you—share it! Let the stars know an Indian spirit reached them.