All about Shubhanshu Shukla: India’s first astronaut to visit the ISS

In a big moment for India’s space journey, Group Captain

Shubhanshu Shukla

from the Indian Air Force is all set to become the first Indian to visit the

International Space Station

(ISS). He’s expected to take off in May 2025 as part of the

Axiom Space Ax-4 mission

, according to a report presented by the Times of India.
But this mission isn’t just about making history– it shows how India is aiming higher in space. Instead of just focusing on satellite launches and low-Earth orbit missions, the country is now stepping into the world of international

space travel

. This move also ties in with India’s bigger goals, like training astronauts, sending humans into space through the Gaganyaan mission, and exploring deeper into space in the future.
Group Captain Shubhanshu Shukla brings with him nearly two decades of experience in the Indian Air Force. According to a report presented by Times Now, he was commissioned in 2006 and has earned a strong reputation as a skilled test pilot and aviation expert. Over the years, he’s logged more than 2,000 flying hours on a range of aircraft, from fighter jets to transport planes.

Thanks to his experience in both flight testing and combat operations, he’s well-prepared for the challenges that come with space travel. As part of ISRO’s astronaut programme, Shukla has gone through intense training– learning how to handle emergencies, follow mission procedures, and adapt to zero gravity. All that training will now come into play during this important international mission.

Shukla’s journey to the International Space Station (ISS) will be a historic one. He’ll be part of an international team on the Axiom Space Ax-4 mission and will play an important hands-on role. His duties are likely to include helping with spacecraft operations, checking systems onboard, and taking part in scientific experiments during the mission, as per media reports.
The ISS, which orbits about 400 km above Earth, has been home to astronauts from around the world since 2000. While Group Captain Shubhanshu Shukla will be the first Indian to visit the ISS, it’s important to note that he is the second Indian to travel to space overall, following Rakesh Sharma’s iconic flight in 1984 aboard a Soviet Soyuz spacecraft, according to the media reports.
Having Shukla on board the ISS is a big moment for India, showing how the country is becoming a stronger part of global space collaborations, especially as space exploration becomes more international than ever.

According to the Times Now report, Union Minister Dr. Jitendra Singh recently shared that India is preparing for a historic space mission. For the first time ever, an Indian will visit the International Space Station (ISS). This will also be the first time in over four decades that an Indian astronaut goes to space, since Rakesh Sharma’s iconic flight in 1984 on a Soviet Soyuz spacecraft.
With India’s first

human spaceflight

mission, Gaganyaan, coming up soon, the experience Shukla gains from this trip will be incredibly valuable. Working on the ISS will give him real-life exposure to space systems, teamwork with international space agencies, and dealing with unexpected challenges in orbit. What he learns won’t just help him– it’ll also benefit ISRO and its entire human spaceflight team as they fine-tune their training methods and mission plans for future Indian space missions.