PM Modi speaks with Shubhanshu Shukla : From Lucknow to the Stars: The Making of a Vyomanaut
PM Modi speaks with Shubhanshu Shukla Born on October 10, 1985, in Lucknow, Uttar Pradesh, Shubhanshu Shukla was the youngest of three siblings. A defining moment came in 1999, when the Kargil War ignited a spark in the young schoolboy to pursue a life of service (britannica.com).
PM Modi speaks with Shubhanshu Shukla :By age 16, he boldly applied to the National Defence Academy (NDA) during his sister’s wedding—without informing his family—demonstrating unwavering commitment to his goal (economictimes.indiatimes.com). After graduating from the NDA in 2005, he joined the IAF fighter stream in 2006, eventually logging over 2,000 flight hours across platforms like Su‑30 MKI, MiG‑21, MiG‑29, Jaguar, Hawk, and Dornier (britannica.com).
🎯PM Modi speaks with Shubhanshu Shukla : Fighter Pilot to Gaganyaan & Beyond
PM Modi speaks with Shubhanshu Shukla :Promoted to Wing Commander in 2019 and later Group Captain in 2024, Shukla’s career as a test pilot at IAF’s ASTE made him a natural pick for astronaut training (britannica.com).
In 2019, he was selected for India’s Vyomanaut Group under the Gaganyaan programme. His rigorous training included years at the Yuri Gagarin Cosmonaut Training Centre in Russia, followed by facility-based modules in Bengaluru, with advanced modules in NASA, ESA, and JAXA systems (en.wikipedia.org).
In February 2024, he was formally named by PM Modi as one of four Gaganyaan astronauts at ISRO’s launchpads in Thiruvananthapuram (iaslearning.in).
🚀 Launch & En Route to ISS
PM Modi speaks with Shubhanshu Shukla :In August 2024, ISRO and Axiom Space agreed to include Shukla as the Mission Pilot for the Axiom Mission 4 (Ax‑4) commercial flight to the ISS (britannica.com).
Originally scheduled in June, the mission faced multiple delays—once due to LOX leaks in Falcon 9’s systems—but finally launched on June 25, 2025, at 12:01 pm IST from Kennedy Space Centre aboard SpaceX’s Falcon 9 Crew Dragon “Grace” (iaslearning.in).
Shukla’s first words en route carried sweeping national pride: “What a ride! …India was back in space after 41 years” (indiatoday.in).
🛰️ PM Modi speaks with Shubhanshu Shukla :Docking & Microgravity Mission
PM Modi speaks with India’s 1st astronaut from the ISS On June 26, the Dragon capsule docked at the ISS, officially making Shukla the first Indian to visit the ISS—and only the second Indian to enter space, following Rakesh Sharma in 1984
PM Modi speaks with Shubhanshu Shukla :During the 14-day mission, Shukla is leading seven ISRO-designed microgravity experiments among approximately 60 studies onboard . Highlights include:
- Plant biology: Studying germination of fenugreek and moong dal seeds.
- Space nutrition & self‑sustaining food systems: Exploring microalgae (spirulina) and using urea as a growth substrate .
- Muscle physiology, tardigrade survival, and human-computer interaction in microgravity.
These experiments are vital stepping stones for India’s upcoming Gaganyaan‑4 mission and long-term lunar ambitions ).
🌟 Symbolism & Soft Power
PM Modi speaks with Shubhanshu Shukla Shukla carries Indian cultural elements—regional artifacts, yoga mats, and other symbols—to the ISS, showcasing India’s rich diversity and heritage onboard .
PM Modi speaks with Shubhanshu Shukla :He also radiates soft power by conducting live interactions with students, aiming to inspire the next generation toward STEM fields .
🧬 Legacy & the Road Ahead
- Commercial space leadership: Paving India’s path as a hub in Asia-Pacific commercial spaceflight (theweek.in).
- Gaganyaan propellant: Experiments and operational experience feed directly into Gaganyaan’s 2027 manned launch plans (en.wikipedia.org).
- Future lunar missions: The ISS mission sets the stage for eventual lunar and Mars missions through sustained human presence .
💬 The Human Side
- Family support:PM Modi speaks with Shubhanshu Shukla Married to childhood friend Kamna (a dentist), with a four‑year‑old son (iaslearning.in). His family, while initially anxious, never lost faith (hindustantimes.com).
- Emotional resonance: He left encouraging messages before lift-off, thanking India’s 1.4 billion citizens and his own support systems (theguardian.com).
🧭 Conclusion: A Nation’s Moment
Group Captain Shubhanshu Shukla’s journey from a Kargil-war-inspired teenager in Lucknow to the pilot of India’s most ambitious human space mission in four decades is a testament to perseverance, passion, and pioneering spirit.
His Ax‑4 success charts a course for India’s self-reliant space ambitions—through Gaganyaan, a planned space station by 2035, and targeted missions to the Moon and beyond.
PM Modi speaks with Shubhanshu Shukla Shukla isn’t just writing history; he’s scripting a future for Indian science. His mission stands as a beacon for youth and a reminder of how far determination and vision can take a nation.