Shubhanshu Shukla career path: How a fighter pilot became India's space trailblazer

As the countdown ticks toward one of India’s most defining moments in human spaceflight , all eyes are on Group Captain Shubhanshu Shukla . The Axiom-4 mission to the International Space Station—carrying Shukla and three other astronauts is scheduled to lift off at 12:01 pm IST on Wednesday from NASA’s Kennedy Space Center in Florida. Delayed from its original June 22 timeline, the mission now targets a launch window of 2:31 am EDT (12 noon IST), marking a historic chapter for Indian aerospace.

But this moment is no sudden ascent. Shukla’s career has been meticulously built across two demanding arenas: national defence and aerospace science. A graduate of the National Defence Academy and a decorated combat and test pilot in the Indian Air Force , he has clocked more than 2,000 flying hours across frontline aircraft. His academic pursuit led him to a Master’s in Aerospace Engineering from the Indian Institute of Science, followed by extensive astronaut training in Russia, India, Europe, and Japan. Now, with the world watching, his trajectory into orbit is not just symbolic—it is earned.


Taking wing: The Indian Air Force years
Shukla’s journey began at the National Defence Academy in 2003, where military rigor met academic intensity. He was commissioned into the Indian Air Force in 2006 and swiftly established himself as a formidable combat and test pilot. With over 2,000 flight hours on advanced aircraft like the Su-30 MKI, MiG-29, Jaguar, and others, he honed the sharp instincts and high-stakes decision-making that space travel demands.

His rise within the IAF was defined not merely by flying hours but by the depth of his technical mastery and his ability to lead in dynamic environments. These traits would later underpin his selection for one of the most elite and demanding missions of the decade.


Engineering the future: Academia meets aerospace

While Shukla was building a reputation in India’s skies, he was also strengthening his intellectual foundation. After earning a Bachelor’s degree in Computer Science from NDA, he pursued a Master’s in Aerospace Engineering at the Indian Institute of Science (IISc), Bengaluru. There, he delved into aerodynamics, propulsion systems, and spacecraft mechanics—subjects that equipped him to navigate not just aircraft but the challenges of orbital mechanics.

This fusion of military discipline with scientific depth made him an ideal candidate for India’s ambitious human spaceflight programme. It also reflected a broader evolution in India’s approach to space: technical sophistication anchored in homegrown talent.


Becoming an astronaut: Gaganyaan and global readiness
Shukla’s selection in 2019 for the Gaganyaan mission marked a turning point—not only for his career but for India’s manned space programme. His training took him to the Yuri Gagarin Cosmonaut Training Centre in Moscow, where he underwent rigorous simulations, survival exercises, and physical conditioning. Further training at India’s astronaut facility in Bengaluru refined his readiness for orbital life.

But Shukla’s preparation crossed multiple international frontiers. Training modules at the European Space Agency in Germany and Japan’s Aerospace Exploration Agency added layers of versatility, preparing him for the collaborative and multicultural environment aboard the ISS.


Aboard Axiom Mission 4: India’s experiment in space diplomacy

Now officially set to lift off aboard Axiom Mission 4—a landmark international collaboration between NASA, SpaceX, and ISRO—Group Captain Shubhanshu Shukla is poised to become the first Indian citizen to live and work aboard the International Space Station . Launching from Kennedy Space Center aboard SpaceX’s Crew Dragon at 12:01 pm IST on Wednesday, the mission features astronauts from the United States, Poland, and Hungary. Shukla’s inclusion underscores India’s growing stature in the global space arena, marking a strategic shift from satellite launches to human spaceflight leadership.

Over the course of his 14-day stay on the ISS, Shukla will carry out seven scientific experiments, including joint initiatives with ISRO and the Department of Biotechnology. These experiments—ranging from seed germination in microgravity to biological studies relevant to space sustainability—aim to generate critical insights for long-duration missions and planetary habitation models, bringing Indian science to the forefront of extraterrestrial research.