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Group Captain Shubhanshu Shukla of the Indian Air Force has been selected as India’s prime astronaut for an upcoming Indo-US mission to the ISS. Set to fly in Axiom’s Ax-4 mission, he will conduct at least 7 pioneering experiments on crop growth and water bears in space during a 14-day stay.
India is on the brink of a historic achievement in space exploration. Group Captain Shubhanshu Shukla of the Indian Air Force is set to become the first Indian astronaut to travel to the International Space Station (ISS). This landmark mission represents a major milestone in India’s growing presence in space and deepens international collaboration in space research.
The mission marks a proud moment not just for the Indian Air Force, but for the entire nation, as it showcases the country’s advancing capabilities in astronaut training and space missions. Group Captain Shukla’s journey to the ISS will place India among a select group of nations to have sent astronauts to the space station.
India is gearing up for a historic milestone in May 2025 as the nation prepares to launch its much-anticipated human spaceflight mission. This ambitious endeavor will mark India’s return to crewed space missions, coming more than 40 years after Wing Commander Rakesh Sharma became the first Indian to travel to space in 1984.
Born on October 10, 1985, in Lucknow, Uttar Pradesh, Shubhanshu Shukla is a highly accomplished fighter pilot in the Indian Air Force (IAF). An alumnus of the prestigious National Defence Academy (NDA), Shukla was commissioned into the fighter stream of the IAF on June 17, 2006.
With years of experience and a stellar track record, Shukla earned national recognition in February 2024, when Prime Minister Narendra Modi introduced him as one of the four astronauts selected for India’s ambitious Gaganyaan mission — the country’s first manned spaceflight program.
Indian Astronaut Shubhanshu Shukla’s Ax-4 Mission
His selection marks a proud moment for both the Indian Air Force and the nation, as India takes a historic leap into human space exploration.
In August 2024, he was officially selected as the prime astronaut for the upcoming Indo-US joint mission to the International Space Station (ISS), marking a significant milestone in international space collaboration.
During his 14-day mission aboard the International Space Station (ISS) as part of Axiom Mission-4 (Ax-4), Indian astronaut Shukla is set to conduct a series of cutting-edge scientific experiments that could shape the future of space exploration.
Among the most anticipated experiments is a study on the survival and gene expression of tardigrades—microscopic creatures famously known as “water bears.” Known for their extraordinary ability to endure extreme environments, tardigrades will be observed in microgravity to better understand their mechanisms of revival, survival, and reproduction in space.
Another key area of research focuses on space agriculture. Shukla will examine the feasibility of growing crops in the microgravity conditions of the ISS—an essential step toward ensuring sustainable food sources for future deep space missions and potential colonization efforts.
In total, Shukla will be conducting at least seven experiments during his time aboard the ISS, all aimed at advancing space science and improving human adaptability beyond Earth.
Shukla to Conduct Human-Computer Interaction Experiments in Space as Part of Ax-4 Mission
As part of the upcoming Ax-4 mission, astronaut Shukla will participate in groundbreaking experiments focused on human-computer interaction in zero-gravity environments. These studies aim to revolutionize the development of user interfaces for space missions, prioritizing both safety and efficiency for astronauts operating in microgravity conditions.
The Ax-4 mission is a landmark international collaboration between ISRO, NASA, and the European Space Agency, featuring crew members from the United States, Hungary, Poland, and India. This mission not only advances scientific research but also marks a major milestone in global cooperation in space exploration.
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