From orbiting Earth to etching his name in India’s space history, Group Captain Shubhanshu Shukla’s journey has captured national attention. The first Indian to set foot on the International Space Station, Shukla not only endured the extreme demands of spaceflight but also showcased India’s expanding footprint in human space exploration.
Now, his achievement may receive the country’s highest peacetime gallantry recognition. Shukla’s name has been recommended for the Ashoka Chakra, and if the process moves as expected, the Centre could confer the honour on January 26, marking a rare convergence of scientific excellence and national pride.
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Historic journey to the International Space Station
On June 25 last year, Shubhanshu travelled to the International Space Station aboard SpaceX’s Dragon spacecraft. He was accompanied by Axiom-4 mission crew commander Peggy Whitson, mission specialist Slawosz Uznanski-Wisniewski, and Tibor Kapu. During their 18-day stay aboard the space station, the team conducted more than 60 experiments.
When departing the space station after completing the mission, Shubhanshu echoed the iconic words of India’s first astronaut, Rakesh Sharma, saying that India remained the best place in the world. After spending 18 days in space, the spacecraft carrying Shubhanshu and his teammates splashed down safely in the Pacific Ocean.
A human in space, a true Indian at heart
Within days of his return to Earth, Shubhanshu arrived in Delhi, where he received a warm welcome with the national flag, flowers and garlands, in the presence of his family members. Before landing in the capital, he shared an emotional post on X from the aircraft, writing that he was leaving behind many from the expedition and feeling sad, but also returning to the country for the first time and set to meet his loved ones, which made him feel very good as well. He added that life is like this, as it gives everything together.
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Shubhanshu is a resident of Lucknow, Uttar Pradesh, where he studied and grew up. After completing his Class XII education, he joined the National Defence Academy, from where he graduated before joining the Indian Air Force in 2006.
India is currently preparing for the Gaganyaan mission, with plans to send humans to space using indigenous technology in 2027. As part of these preparations, Shubhanshu joined the Axiom-4 mission. Through this expedition, he has written his name into history, fulfilling the aspirations of millions of Indians who dream of reaching space.
