Astronaut Shubhanshu Shukla Calls ISS Feat ‘Mission of 140 Crore Indians’
New Delhi, Aug 21 (TTP): Group Captain Shubhanshu Shukla of the Indian Air Force, the first Indian astronaut to reach the International Space Station (ISS), returned to India on August 17 after completing an 18-day mission in orbit. Calling it the “mission of 140 crore Indians,” Shukla said his achievement belonged not just to him but to the entire nation.
‘Mission of an Entire Nation’
At a press briefing on Thursday in New Delhi, Shukla expressed heartfelt gratitude to citizens, the government, and ISRO scientists for their unwavering support.
“I would like to thank every citizen of this country who behaved in a way that made it feel like they actually owned this mission. I truly felt that this was a mission for the entire nation,” said Shukla.
The 42-year-old IAF Group Captain had launched aboard Axiom Space’s Mission 4 on June 26, alongside astronauts from the US, Poland, and Hungary. After returning to Earth on July 15, he underwent a month-long rehabilitation program in the US before coming back to India.
India’s First Astronaut on the ISS
Shukla’s achievement marks a historic moment in India’s space journey. While Rakesh Sharma made history in 1984 as the first Indian to travel to space aboard a Soviet Soyuz spacecraft, Shukla is the first to live and work aboard the ISS, the world’s only operational orbital laboratory.
He emphasized that the mission was the result of collective effort:
“I would like to thank the Government of India for conceiving the mission and finally making it happen. I would like to thank ISRO for enabling this entire mission. The people, my colleagues at ISRO, who have worked so hard for successfully executing this mission,” he said.
Life on the ISS: An ‘Unbelievable Experience’
Recounting his 18 days aboard the ISS, Shukla described the environment as “very different from what you learn on the ground.”
His time in space involved scientific experiments led by ISRO, including studies on microgravity’s effect on biological systems, as well as international collaborations on material sciences and Earth observation.
“The ISS has been operational since 2000 and is a perfect example of international collaboration. It was an unbelievable experience to work in such an environment,” he said.
Shukla trained on multiple spacecraft, including SpaceX’s Crew Dragon and Russia’s Soyuz, both currently capable of ferrying humans to space.
A Crucial Step Toward Gaganyaan
Experts believe Shukla’s mission experience will play a pivotal role in India’s upcoming Gaganyaan human spaceflight program, which aims to send Indian astronauts into low Earth orbit aboard an indigenously developed spacecraft.
Earlier, Shukla had remarked:
“This is just the first step in Bharat’s journey of human spaceflight.”
His exposure to international training modules and ISS operations is expected to provide vital inputs for the Indian crewed mission slated for launch in the coming years.
Meeting with Prime Minister Modi
On August 19, Shukla met Prime Minister Narendra Modi at his official residence in New Delhi. The astronaut briefed the Prime Minister about his experiences in orbit and the scientific achievements of the mission.
Following the meeting, PM Modi posted on X:
“Had a great interaction with Shubhanshu Shukla. We discussed a wide range of subjects, including his experiences in space, progress in science and technology, as well as India’s ambitious Gaganyaan mission. India is proud of his feat.”
Why It Matters
Shukla’s feat is not only a matter of national pride but also a strategic milestone for India’s space program:
- Global Credibility: By placing an astronaut on the ISS, India strengthens its position in global space collaborations.
- Boost for Gaganyaan: The lessons from his mission will help India fine-tune training, spacecraft design, and mission planning.
- Inspiring a Generation: Shukla’s achievement is expected to inspire millions of Indian students to pursue careers in science, technology, and aerospace.
- Soft Power Diplomacy: As India partners with global agencies like NASA and private players like Axiom Space, it signals readiness to be a key player in the new space economy.
Final Thoughts from TheTrendingPeople.com
Shubhanshu Shukla’s return from the ISS marks a turning point in India’s space journey. More than just a personal achievement, his mission embodies the aspirations of 140 crore Indians and symbolizes India’s determination to emerge as a global space power.
As the nation prepares for its first indigenous human spaceflight under Gaganyaan, Shukla’s experiences offer both inspiration and practical guidance. For India’s spacefaring dreams, this is not the final chapter — it is just the beginning.