Fortune India
India is celebrating its first crewed space journey in over four decades as Group Captain Shubhanshu Shukla leads the nation's participation in Axiom Mission 4 (Ax-4) to the ISS.
Shubhanshu Shukla, a highly experienced Indian Air Force (IAF) pilot, was chosen for Ax-4 due to his exceptional flight credentials and technical expertise.
Having logged thousands of flying hours, he was among the top candidates trained for India’s indigenous Gaganyaan human spaceflight program.
Launched from Kennedy Space Centre, Axiom-4 is a private mission marking India’s triumphant return to human spaceflight since Rakesh Sharma's 1984 voyage.
Aboard Ax-4, Shubhanshu Shukla will participate in scientific experiments, showcasing India's capabilities in global space efforts.
Shubhanshu Shukla carried unique Indian items, including traditional halwa, adding emotional and cultural symbolism to his high-tech journey.
His journey from fighter pilot to astronaut is changing public perception of Indian defense personnel, inspiring many.
The Ax-4 voyage serves as a crucial testbed for astronaut readiness and international cooperation, especially for the upcoming Gaganyaan mission.
Group Captain Shubhanshu Shukla embodies the aspirations of a technologically empowered, globally connected, and future-ready New India in space.
As Ax-4 unfolds, 1.4 billion Indians watch proudly, knowing one of their own is among the stars, carrying the tricolour in spirit and legacy.