India’s First ISS Astronaut Spills Secrets from Space!
Shubhanshu Shukla shares thrilling Axiom-4 mission details.
Group Captain Shubhanshu Shukla, callsign 'Shux,' continued to captivate audiences at an Indian Air Force event in Subroto Park, New Delhi, on August 24, 2025, recounting his historic Axiom-4 mission to the International Space Station (ISS).
As the first Indian astronaut to visit the ISS, Shukla, a decorated test pilot with over 2,000 hours on advanced fighter aircraft, described the intense June 25 launch aboard a SpaceX Dragon spacecraft from Kennedy Space Center. “It shakes every bone in your body, going from 0 to 28,500 km/hr in 8.5 minutes,” he said, highlighting the mission’s exhilarating start. His 20-day sojourn involved conducting seven India-led microgravity experiments in life sciences, agriculture, and cognitive research, advancing India’s preparations for the Gaganyaan mission.
Shukla detailed the rigorous training at NASA’s Johnson Space Center, emphasizing the need for self-reliance in space. “You train as a medic, engineer, scientist, and even photographer, because no one’s there to assist you,” he noted. The crew underwent survival tests in simulated environments, photography and videography classes to document their experiences, and team-building exercises like kayaking off Mexico’s coast to foster camaraderie.
Shukla, who served as the mission pilot alongside commander Peggy Whitson and specialists from Poland and Hungary, stressed teamwork’s importance, stating, “If you’re not a team player, you’re not fit for spaceflight.” His training focused heavily on contingency planning, mirroring Indian Air Force protocols for handling emergencies.
The astronaut’s reflections on seeing India from orbit were particularly moving. “From the Indian Ocean, south to north, it’s one of the most beautiful sights,” he said, describing the view of India at night and the 16 daily sunrises and sunsets. Shukla’s photography training enabled him to capture these moments, which he shared via video clips at the event. The mission, which concluded with a splashdown on July 15, drew global cheers and inspired students, with Shukla signing autographs and engaging with young space enthusiasts.
His journey, a full-circle moment from his childhood dreams inspired by Rakesh Sharma’s 1984 spaceflight, underscores India’s growing prowess in human space exploration.
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