20/08/2025
Special Cover released by Karnataka Postal Circle, Bengaluru, to commemorate Group Captain Shubhanshu Shukla, the Indian Air Force test pilot turned ISRO astronaut, showcased in his astronaut gear and during mission preparations, for being the 2nd Indian to go to space and the 1st Indian to go to the ISS.
Shubhanshu Shukla is a Group Captain in the Indian Air Force (IAF) and an astronaut (gaganyatri) selected by ISRO. He is the first Indian to visit the International Space Station (ISS) and the second Indian to venture into space, after Rakesh Sharma in 1984 .
Early Life & Education Born on October 10, 1985, in Lucknow, Uttar Pradesh, Shukla completed his schooling at City Montessori School, Aliganj. Inspired by the Kargil War, he cleared the NDA exam and earned a B.Sc. in Computer Science in 2005, followed by commissioning into the IAF fighter stream in June 2006 .
Military & Test Pilot Career Shukla is a seasoned test pilot with over 2,000 flight hours on aircraft including MiG-21, MiG-29, Su-30 MKI, Jaguar, Hawk, Dornier 228, and An-32 .
Astronaut Training Selected in 2019 for ISRO's human spaceflight program, Shukla trained at Russia’s Gagarin Cosmonaut Training Center (2020–2021), and subsequently at ISRO’s facility in Bengaluru. He also holds an M.Tech. in Aerospace Engineering from the Indian Institute of Science .
Axiom Mission 4 (Ax-4) & His Historic Spaceflight
Mission Role & Timeline Shukla served as mission pilot for Axiom Mission 4, a private international mission to the ISS launched by SpaceX, in collaboration with NASA and ISRO .
Launch: 25 June 2025
Docking: 26 June 2025
Mission Duration: Around 18 to 20 days in space, concluding with return and splashdown off California on 15 July 2025 .
Research & Impact During the mission, Shukla and his international crewmates conducted over 60 scientific experiments and transported more than 580 pounds (≈264 kg) of research payloads derived from 31 participating countries . The mission also delivered key insights for ISRO’s upcoming Gaganyaan mission (planned for 2027), with a substantial investment of approximately ₹550 crore .
Return & Recognition
Homecoming & Reception Shukla returned safely to Earth on 15 July 2025, receiving a grand welcome. The Indian government issued a Cabinet resolution honoring his return as a moment of national pride .
Interactions with Leadership
Prime Minister Narendra Modi personally welcomed and embraced him. Shukla gifted PM Modi the Axiom-4 mission patch and the Indian tricolor that traveled aboard the ISS, sparking an emotional response on social media .
Shukla also shared insights on spaceflight—from challenges like meal preparation in microgravity, to global perceptions of India’s rising space prowess .
On 18 August 2025, the Parliament of India held a special session honoring his mission and contributions to the country's space trajectory .
Additionally, several NDA alumni and the institution itself showered praise, calling his mission “a milestone” and an inspiration for future space explorers .
Group Captain Shubhanshu Shukla’s journey—from a fighter jet pilot in Lucknow to becoming the first Indian astronaut aboard the ISS—is a powerful symbol of ambition, dedication, and India’s strides in global space exploration.
