Shubhanshu Shukla, India’s second astronaut, pilots Axiom-4 to the ISS. His mission marks India’s return to human spaceflight after 41 years.
Born in 1985, Shukla, an IAF test pilot, graduated from NDA. Inspired by the Kargil War, he pursued aviation and aerospace engineering.
Shukla trained in Russia, India, NASA, ESA, and JAXA. His preparation included microgravity and emergency protocols for spaceflight.
Launched June 25, 2025, Shukla pilots Axiom-4 with Whitson’s crew. They’ll conduct 60 experiments, including seven from India.
Shukla’s ISS mission, with Indian experiments and yoga, ignites curiosity. He aims to inspire India’s future space innovators.