Wing Commander Shubanshu Shukla, a renowned combat aircraft pilot and test-flight engineer in the Indian Air Force, will be leading an astronaut from India to the International Space Station (ISS) on the planned Indo-US mission. Shukla’s remarkable career makes him the perfect choice for this position, which also represents a trend toward more international space agency collaboration.
Early Life and Career Beginnings
Shubanshu Shukla was born on October 10, 1985, in Lucknow, Uttar Pradesh, where he spent his childhood and adolescence amidst the historical city of Lucknowderabad. A National Defense Academy alumnus, he was commissioned into the IAF on June 17, 2006. He has trained hard to be where he is today, working tirelessly through the ranks and boasting plenty of accomplishments along his career journey—his latest being a Wing Commander, a considerable promotion.
Those values of courage and rich history were running through his blood since the Kargil War happened. At that time, he held a shovel as youngsters cheered as they built roads. He was only 14- years -old then, and the previous accounts of valour narrated by his elder sister during those conflict days had a profound impact on him, which made him wish to serve in the army.
A Stellar Career in the Indian Air Force
Wing Commander Shukla’s career in the IAF has been nothing short of exemplary. He has completed the prestigious Fighter Combat Leader course at the Tactics and Combat Development Establishment (TACDE) and has amassed approximately 2,000 hours of flying experience. Shukla’s repertoire includes piloting a diverse array of aircraft, such as the Su-30MKI, MiG-21, MiG-29, Jaguar, BAe Hawk, Dornier, and An-32.
Shukla’s contributions extend beyond his piloting skills; he has also served as a test pilot, contributing to the development and evaluation of new aircraft systems. His leadership and expertise in aviation have set him apart as a remarkable asset to the Indian Air Force.
The Indo-US Mission to the ISS
The Indo-US mission, known as Axiom Mission-4, is set to launch in October 2024. This private spaceflight, organized by Axiom Space and supported by SpaceX’s Crew Dragon spacecraft, will take off from the Kennedy Space Center in Florida. The mission, which is expected to last 14 days, follows the successful Axiom-1, Axiom-2, and Axiom-3 missions. It represents a significant milestone in international space cooperation, with collaborative efforts between ISRO, Axiom Space, and NASA.
Shukla’s selection for this mission reflects his extensive training and expertise. He will be part of a crew that aims to further the boundaries of human space exploration and scientific research aboard the ISS.
Shukla’s Personal Life and Achievements
Popularly known as Gunjan, Shubanshu is the youngest in a household of three children and was the first one to break stereotypes by joining the armed forces from his family. He is also the father of a four-year-old son. For his family, it is seen as the culmination of decades of commitment and hard work.
Shukla has referred to his career as a rollercoaster ride” in addition to being part of the fighter pilot and test pilot categories. A young boy, who was inspired by the Kargil War and wanted to motivate Indian youth from humble backgrounds, where he came from, become an accomplished astronaut denotes commitment like no other.
Gaganyaan Mission
On February 27, 2024 prime minister Narendra Modi announced the names of four astronauts one of which was Rakesh Sharma for Gaganyaan programme in a major milestone towards India entering an elite club and embarking on its space dreams. The Gaganyaan mission, which is set to launch in 2025, will see a crew of two astronauts fly on an unfueled spacecraft for three days around low Earth orbit — India’s first-ever human spaceflight.
