Shubhanshu Shukla Becomes Second Indian in Space After Rakesh Sharma!
On June 25, 2025, from NASA’s Kennedy Space Center in Florida, a thunderous roar cut through the stillness of night. As the Falcon 9 rocket sliced through the sky, it wasn’t just another spacecraft launch. It was the rebirth of a dream long held by billions of people. Group Captain Shubhanshu Shukla, a 39-year-old fighter pilot from the Indian Air Force, became the second Indian in space, exactly 41 years after Rakesh Sharma made his name into the stars. But unlike Sharma, who went up aboard a Soviet spacecraft, Shukla’s mission, Axiom Mission 4 (Ax-4), is a uniquely 21st-century collaboration, a blend of state and private, East and West, heart and hardware. Shubhanshu Shukla spoke these first words soon after the Axiom-4 mission successfully entered Earth’s orbit:“Orbiting the Earth, Jai Hind. Jai Bharat.”HIs message from space: "Namaskar, my dear countrymen! What a ride! We are back in the space once again after 41 years. It's an amazing ride. We are revolving around the Earth at a speed of 7.5 kilometres per second. The Tiranga embossed on my shoulders tells me that I am with all of you. This journey of mine is not a beginning to the International Space Station (ISS) but to India's Human Space Programme. I want all of you to be part of this journey. Your chest, too, should swell with pride. Together, let's initiate India's Human Space Programme. Jai Hind! Jai Bharat!"What is Axiom Mission 4?The Ax-4 mission is a privately operated spaceflight organized by Axiom Space, in partnership with NASA, ISRO, and the European Space Agency. It launched aboard a SpaceX Crew Dragon capsule powered by a Falcon 9 rocket. The mission will last approximately two weeks and will see Shukla and his fellow astronauts Peggy Whitson from the US, Slawosz Uznanski-Wisniewski from Poland, and Tibor Kapu from Hungary conduct nearly 60 scientific experiments, including seven developed by ISRO. Their destination is the International Space Station (ISS), a floating laboratory and the symbol of international cooperation in science and exploration. For India, this mission is not just about experiments. It’s about its place in space exploration, reigniting a dream paused since 1984, and preparing for the future.A Son of India, Carrying the Nation’s HeartbeatBorn in 1985, Shubhanshu Shukla grew up under the inspiration of Rakesh Sharma. His childhood, like many others of his generation, was shaped by the image of that smiling astronaut telling then-Prime Minister Indira Gandhi, “Sare Jahan Se Achha” when asked how India looked from space. Now, Shukla follows in those celestial footsteps, not just as a soldier of the sky but as a symbol of a modern, confident, scientific India. At a press conference before the mission, Shukla’s humanity shined through. Amid talk of zero gravity and complex instruments, he spoke about carrying halwa into space a simple, emotional tribute to his roots. Onboard with him: carrot halwa (gajar ka halwa), moong dal halwa, and a mango sweet. “There will be plenty of food to eat in space,” he smiled, “but I will be carrying a taste of home.” Even more important, he’s carrying a secret souvenir for his mentor, Rakesh Sharma, a gesture full of gratitude and emotion. “He has been advising me on many things, including how to prepare for this mission,” said Shukla. The item remains a surprise until his return.Why Shubhanshu is the Second Indian in SpaceThough Kalpana Chawla and Sunita Williams—both of Indian origin—made historic contributions to space exploration as NASA astronauts, they were U.S. citizens at the time of their missions. Kalpana Chawla was the first woman of Indian origin in space, remembered for her courage and sacrifice during the Columbia disaster in 2003. Sunita Williams, a trailblazer with Indian roots, holds several records for spacewalk duration and missions aboard the ISS.Their achievements deeply inspired Indian youth and strengthened cultural ties between India and the global space community. However, in terms of citizenship and national representation, Shubhanshu Shukla is only the second Indian citizen to enter space, following in the footsteps of Rakesh Sharma.A Mother’s Tears of Joy and a Nation’s PrideBack in Lucknow, posters of Shubhanshu line the streets. Children point excitedly. Elders smile with teary eyes. But no pair of eyes was wetter—or prouder—than those of his mother, who watched the liftoff live. In that moment, the world saw a mother’s quiet sacrifice and boundless love. In many ways, Shubhanshu Shukla represents a new Indian astronaut: disciplined yet emotional, rooted yet global, and scientific yet spiritual. As Axiom-4 soars, Shukla’s journey reminds us of something fundamental: space is not just a destination; it is a reflection of our hopes, our identity, and our oneness as a people. Shubhanshu Shukla did not just launch into orbit. He carried a nation’s love, its culture, and its story.
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