From Lucknow to low-Earth orbit, meet Shubhanshu Shukla, India’s newest space hero.
Axiom 4 Mission: Making History
In 2024, Shukla was chosen for the Axiom Mission 4 (Ax-4), becoming the first Indian in 40 years to go to space.
Mission Details:
- Launch Provider: SpaceX
- Rocket: Falcon 9
- Spacecraft: Crew Dragon
- Launch Date: June 25, 2025
- Location: NASA’s Kennedy Space Center
- Destination: International Space Station (ISS)
- Crew Members: Included Commander Peggy Whitson and two others
Shukla proudly addressed the nation:
“What a ride! We have returned to space after a gap of 41 years and what an amazing ride it was.”
Early Life and Education
Date of Birth: October 10, 1985
Birthplace: Lucknow, Uttar Pradesh
Shubhanshu Shukla showed signs of brilliance early in life. He completed his schooling at City Montessori School, a well-known institution in Lucknow. His love for science and flying led him to the National Defence Academy (NDA) in Pune, followed by training at the Indian Air Force Academy.
Academic Background:
- Bachelor of Technology (B.Tech) – NDA
- Master’s in Technology – Indian Institute of Science (IISc), Bangalore
Military Career and Astronaut Training
Commissioned into: Indian Air Force (2006)
Total Flying Hours: 2,000+
He has flown aircraft including:
- Su-30 MKI
- MiG-21
- MiG-29
- Jaguar
- Hawk
- Dornier
In 2019, he was selected for astronaut training under the ISRO Gaganyaan program and trained at the prestigious Yuri Gagarin Cosmonaut Training Center in Russia.
Family and Personal Life
Marital Status: Married
Wife’s Name: Kamna
Before the launch, Shukla shared an emotional tribute:
“Special thanks to Kamna for being the wonderful partner that you are. Without you none of this was possible but more importantly, none of this would matter.”
Children: The couple has one son. His identity remains private for security reasons.
Parents and Background
While not much is publicly known, his parents are believed to come from an academic background and encouraged his passion for flying from an early age.
Career Milestones and Salary
Current Rank: Group Captain (Promoted in 2024)
Estimated Annual Salary:
| Base Salary | Bonuses & Allowances | Estimated Total |
|---|---|---|
| ₹18–20 lakhs | ₹7–10 lakhs | ₹25–30 lakhs |
Personality and Preferences
- Height: Approx. 5’11”
- Favorite Color: Blue
- Languages: Hindi, English, Basic Russian
- Hobbies: Hiking, reading, aviation tech, simulator gaming
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/gagan.shux/
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/shubhanshu-10-shukla/
In the News
- Keywords like Shubhanshu Shukla wife, Shubhanshu Shukla son, and Axiom 4 Shubhanshu Shukla space mission continue to trend online.
- Rajnath Singh, India’s Defence Minister, congratulated him publicly, calling him “a symbol of modern India’s aspiration.”
Legacy and Impact
Shubhanshu Shukla is now the second Indian in space, after Rakesh Sharma, who flew on the Soyuz T-11 mission in 1984.
Unlike Sharma’s Soviet-backed flight, Shukla’s space journey aboard a private, international mission reflects India’s expanded role in global space efforts.
His story is a symbol of discipline, dedication, and national pride, blending military excellence with the ambition of space exploration.
This article is published by Yupbeat.com to document the inspiring journey of modern Indian heroes like Group Captain Shubhanshu Shukla.
