India’s First Astronaut to Visit ISS, Shubhanshu Shukla, Lands Safely
Group Captain Shubhanshu Shukla, India’s pioneering astronaut aboard the Axiom-4 mission, returned safely to Earth on Tuesday afternoon, marking a significant milestone in Indian space exploration. The SpaceX Crew Dragon capsule Grace, carrying Shukla and three other astronauts, splashed down in the Pacific Ocean near California at around 3 pm IST.
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First Indian on ISS, Second Indian in Space
Shubhanshu Shukla made history as the first Indian astronaut to visit the International Space Station (ISS) and only the second Indian in space after Rakesh Sharma, who flew aboard a Soviet mission in 1984.
From Fighter Pilot to Astronaut
Hailing from Lucknow, Shukla is an alumnus of City Montessori School in Aliganj. Commissioned as a fighter pilot in 2006, he has served over 16 years in the Indian Air Force, accumulating more than 2,000 flying hours. Known affectionately as “Gunjan,” Shukla is the youngest of three siblings and the first in his family to join the armed forces. He is also a father to a four-year-old son.
Distinguished Military Career
Shukla describes his career as a “rollercoaster ride” and has excelled as a fighter combat leader and test pilot. His experience spans multiple aircraft, including the Su-30MKI, MIG-21, MIG-29, Jaguar, and Hawk.
Training for India’s Gaganyaan Mission
In 2019, Shukla was selected by ISRO for astronaut training at the Yuri Gagarin Cosmonaut Training Center in Star City, Moscow. This year-long rigorous preparation laid the foundation for his historic journey. On February 27, 2024, Prime Minister Narendra Modi officially announced Shukla as part of the elite team preparing for India’s maiden human spaceflight mission, Gaganyaan, scheduled for launch in 2025.
Shubhanshu Shukla’s successful return is a proud moment for India and a giant leap forward for the country’s ambitions in human spaceflight.
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