Journey of Shubhanshu Shukla: From IT to space
Shubhanshu Shukla just made history as the second Indian in space—and the first to reach the International Space Station (ISS).
He's part of the Axiom-4 mission, which launched on June 25, 2025, bringing India back into space after 41 years.
This two-week trip includes scientific research, educational outreach, and commercial activities.
Early life and education
Growing up in Lucknow, Shukla was inspired by the Kargil War to join the armed forces.
He studied computer science at NDA, trained as a fighter pilot with the Indian Air Force, and later earned an MTech in aerospace engineering from IISc Bengaluru.
Training for the Gaganyaan mission
Chosen for India's Gaganyaan program in 2019, Shukla trained at Russia's Yuri Gagarin Centre and ISRO's facility in Bengaluru.
That tough prep helped him land a spot on international missions like Axiom-4.
A day in the life of an astronaut
As pilot of Axiom-4 alongside commander Peggy Whitson and teammates from Europe and Hungary, Shukla flew aboard SpaceX's Falcon 9 and docked with the ISS on June 26.
His journey is being celebrated across India as he proudly represents over a billion people among the stars.