On June 25, 2025, India celebrated a proud moment. Group Captain Shubhanshu Shukla became the first Indian astronaut to visit the International Space Station (ISS). He was part of the Axiom Mission 4 (Ax-4), a special space journey. This mission marked India’s return to human spaceflight after 41 years. Shubhanshu’s story is inspiring. He is a brave Indian Air Force pilot and an astronaut with the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO). His journey from a small boy in Lucknow to a space hero is full of hard work and dreams. Let’s explore his life in simple words.
Early Life And Family
Shubhanshu Shukla was born on October 10, 1985, in Lucknow, Uttar Pradesh. He grew up in a simple family. His father, Shambhu Dayal Shukla, was a government officer. He is now retired. His mother, Asha Shukla, is a homemaker. Shubhanshu is the youngest of three children. He has two elder sisters. One sister, Nidhi, has an MBA degree. The other sister, Suchi, is a teacher at Tender Hearts School in Lucknow. Shubhanshu was a bright child. He loved to learn new things. His family supported his dreams. They lived in Triveni Nagar, a quiet area in Lucknow. The city’s rich culture shaped his early years.
As a young boy, Shubhanshu was curious. He loved watching planes in the sky. The Kargil War in 1999 touched his heart. He was only 14 years old. The bravery of Indian soldiers inspired him. He decided to serve his country. This dream pushed him to work hard. He wanted to join the Indian Air Force (IAF). His family stood by him. They encouraged his passion for flying and technology.
Education And Early Dreams
Shubhanshu went to City Montessori School in Lucknow. He was a smart student. He loved science and technology. His teachers noticed his talent. He worked hard in school. After finishing Class 12, he took a big step. He appeared for the UPSC National Defence Academy (NDA) exam in 1999. He passed it without any coaching. This was a big achievement. The NDA is a famous military school in Pune. Shubhanshu joined it in 2003. He studied hard there. He earned a Bachelor of Technology (B.Tech) degree in Computer Science in 2005.
After NDA, Shubhanshu wanted to learn more. He joined the Indian Institute of Science (IISc) in Bengaluru. There, he studied Aerospace Engineering. He earned a Master of Technology (M.Tech) degree. This education helped him understand planes and space better. His studies made him strong in technical skills. He was ready to chase his dream of flying.
Shubhanshu Shukla Age, Wikipedia, Biography, Education, Wife, Family
| Category | Details |
|---|---|
| Full Name | Shubhanshu Shukla |
| Date of Birth | October 10, 1985 |
| Place of Birth | Lucknow, Uttar Pradesh, India |
| Family | Father: Shambhu Dayal Shukla (retired government officer) Mother: Asha Shukla (homemaker) Sisters: Nidhi (MBA), Suchi (teacher) Wife: Dr. Kamna Mishra (dentist) Son: Sid (6 years old) |
| Education | - City Montessori School, Lucknow - B.Tech in Computer Science, NDA (2003–2005) - M.Tech in Aerospace Engineering, IISc Bengaluru |
| Early Inspiration | Inspired by the Kargil War (1999) to join the Indian Air Force |
| Military Career | - Joined: June 2006 - Rank: Group Captain (since March 2024) - Aircraft Flown: Su-30 MKI, MiG-21, MiG-29, Jaguar, Hawk, Dornier, An-32 - Flight Hours: 2000+ - Role: Fighter & test pilot |
| Astronaut Training | - Selected for Gaganyaan: 2019 - Russia: Yuri Gagarin Cosmonaut Training Center (2020–2021) - Also trained at ESA (Germany), JAXA, and ISRO |
| Space Mission | - Mission: Axiom Mission 4 (Ax-4) - Launch Date: June 25, 2025 - Role: Mission Pilot - ISS Duration: 14 days (June 26 – July 14, 2025) - Experiments: 60+ (7 by ISRO) - Activities: Studied human health, tested materials, grew plants, used VR, captured microalgae images |
| Achievements | - First Indian to live on the ISS - Second Indian in space - 634th human in space - Interacted with students via ham radio - Video call with PM Narendra Modi |
| Hobbies | Exercising, reading science books, astrophotography |
| Personal Traits | Brave, calm, focused, curious, inspiring |
| Impact | Inspired 1.4 billion Indians, contributed to Gaganyaan mission, encouraged interest in science and technology among youth |
| Notable Quote | Expressed pride in carrying India’s flag (“Tiranga”) to the ISS |
Joining the Indian Air Force
In June 2006, Shubhanshu joined the Indian Air Force. He became a fighter pilot. This was a proud moment for him. He trained hard to fly different planes. He flew aircraft like the Su-30 MKI, MiG-21, MiG-29, Jaguar, Hawk, Dornier, and An-32. He became very skilled. He flew for over 2,000 hours. This is a big number for a pilot. He also became a test pilot. Test pilots check new planes to make sure they are safe. Shubhanshu was brave and focused. His hard work paid off. In 2019, he became a Wing Commander. In March 2024, he was promoted to Group Captain. His colleagues admired his skills.
Shubhanshu loved his job. He was known for his courage. His nickname was “Shux.” His friends said he was calm and smart. He could handle tough situations. His passion for flying made him stand out. He always wanted to do something big for India.
Becoming an Astronaut
In 2019, Shubhanshu got a special call from ISRO. They chose him for the Gaganyaan mission. This is India’s first human spaceflight program. Shubhanshu was one of four astronauts selected. This was a huge honor. He felt proud to represent India. To prepare, he went to Russia. He trained at the Yuri Gagarin Cosmonaut Training Center in Moscow. The training was tough. It lasted one year, from 2020 to 2021. He learned how to live in space. He practiced in simulators. He also trained for emergencies. After Russia, he trained in Bengaluru, India. He worked with ISRO’s team to get ready.
Shubhanshu also trained with other space agencies. He went to the European Space Agency (ESA) in Germany. He learned about the ISS and its systems. He also trained at Japan’s Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA). There, he studied the Japanese Experiment Module called Kibo. All this training made him ready for space. He was excited to make history.
Axiom Mission 4: A Historic Journey
In 2024, ISRO chose Shubhanshu for Axiom Mission 4 (Ax-4). This was a private mission to the ISS. It was led by Axiom Space, a US company. The mission used SpaceX’s Falcon 9 rocket and Dragon spacecraft. Shubhanshu was the mission pilot. He worked with three other astronauts. The team included Peggy Whitson from the USA, Sławosz Uznański from Poland, and Tibor Kapu from Hungary. The mission launched on June 25, 2025, from NASA’s Kennedy Space Center in Florida. It docked with the ISS on June 26, 2025.
Shubhanshu became the 634th person to reach space. He was the first Indian to live on the ISS. He spent 14 days there. He conducted over 60 experiments. Seven of them were designed by ISRO. These experiments studied how the human body works in space. They also tested new materials and grew plants like methi and moong seeds. Shubhanshu used virtual reality to study brain activity. He took photos of microalgae to learn about oxygen in space. His work helped India’s Gaganyaan program. It also inspired young people.
On July 4 and July 8, Shubhanshu spoke to students in India. He used a ham radio from the ISS. He shared his experiences. He told students they could become astronauts too. On June 28, he had a video call with Prime Minister Narendra Modi. He said he was proud to carry India’s flag. He called it “Tiranga.” The mission ended on July 14, 2025. The spacecraft landed in the Pacific Ocean. Shubhanshu returned as a hero.
Personal Life And Hobbies
Shubhanshu is married to Dr. Kamna Mishra. She is a dentist. They met in school when they were in Class 3. They became best friends. Later, they fell in love. They have a son named Sid. He is six years old. Sid thinks his father’s job is exciting. Shubhanshu calls Kamna his biggest support. He says she made his dreams possible. His family lives in Lucknow. They are proud of him.
In his free time, Shubhanshu likes to stay fit. He exercises every day. He also loves reading science books. He enjoys taking photos of stars. This is called astrophotography. He says he is agnostic but likes reading horoscopes. He is a simple man with big dreams. He wants to inspire others.
Achievements And Impact
Shubhanshu’s journey is special. He is the second Indian to go to space. The first was Rakesh Sharma in 1984. Shubhanshu’s mission was different. He lived and worked on the ISS. He conducted important experiments. His work will help India’s space program. The Gaganyaan mission is set for 2027. Shubhanshu’s experience will guide it.
People in India love Shubhanshu. His hometown, Lucknow, celebrated his success. His mother cried happy tears when he reached the ISS. Leaders like President Droupadi Murmu and Prime Minister Narendra Modi praised him. They said he made India proud. Posts on X called him a hero. One post said he inspired 1.4 billion Indians. Another post said his experiments will help India’s future in space.
A Message of Hope
Shubhanshu wants to inspire young people. He says his story can change lives. He believes in hard work and dreams. He told students to be curious. He wants them to study science and technology. He hopes to see more Indians in space. He carried India’s flag to the ISS. He said it made him feel close to his country.
Shubhanshu Shukla is a true hero. He started as a boy with a dream. He worked hard. He studied well. He flew planes. Now, he has flown to space. His story shows that anything is possible. India is proud of him. He is a shining star for the nation. His journey will inspire many to reach for the stars.