India is set to mark a monumental milestone in its space journey as Group Captain Shubhanshu Shukla, an Indian Air Force (IAF) pilot, is all set to become the first Indian to live aboard the International Space Station (ISS). His mission is part of the Axiom Mission 4 (Ax-4), organised by US-based private space company Axiom Space, with the rocket launch facilitated by SpaceX’s Falcon 9.

This makes Shukla the second Indian to travel to space, nearly 40 years after Squadron Leader Rakesh Sharma flew in a Soviet Soyuz spacecraft in 1984. However, unlike Sharma, Shukla’s mission involves extended orbital operations and scientific experiments aboard the ISS, underlining the leap India has taken in its space capabilities since then.

Shubhanshu Shukla’s Pivotal Role in Ax-4

The Ax-4 crew includes:

• Commander Peggy Whitson (USA),

• Mission Pilot Shubhanshu Shukla (India),

• Mission Specialist Sławosz Uznański-Wiśniewski (ESA/Poland),

• Mission Specialist Tibor Kapu (Hungary).

Shukla’s participation provides India with first-hand operational knowledge, especially crucial for ISRO’s Gaganyaan mission, which aims to launch Indian astronauts using indigenous technology in the coming years. His training, which began in Russia and now culminates in a US mission, will provide critical comparative insights for Indian designers developing crew modules.

From Spectator to Spacefarer: Shukla’s Inspirational Journey

Shukla’s story is an inspiration in itself. Having been captivated by an air show as a schoolboy, he eventually joined the Indian Air Force and is now on the brink of joining an elite global league of spacefarers. His mission will not only boost India’s space ambitions but also ignite imaginations of India’s youth, fostering a stronger science and technology ecosystem.

Strategic Knowledge Transfer to Indian Missions

Through his 14-day stay aboard the ISS, Shukla will gain experience that includes:

• Understanding crew-machine interface,

• Monitoring biological vitals in microgravity,

• Managing mission delays and psychological readiness, and

• Working under a 24/7 Flight Director system, a new operational concept for India.

These lessons will have a direct impact on India’s astronaut training programs and contribute toward future human spaceflights and the planned Bhartiya Antriksh Station (BAS).

Scientific Research with Global and Indian Collaboration

The Ax-4 mission is not just about presence; it is heavily science-oriented, involving 60 experiments from 31 countries. Notably, several of these are spearheaded by Indian researchers, in collaboration with NASA and the European Space Agency (ESA).

Indian microgravity research in Ax-4 will include:

• Studying cyanobacteria strains for cellular responses in microgravity.

• Investigating resilience mechanisms in extreme conditions.

• Assessing crop seed germination and growth in orbit.

• Measuring effects of screen usage on cognition in microgravity.

• Researching genetics and metabolism of microalgae.

• Understanding skeletal muscle degradation and potential countermeasures.

• Analysing growth patterns of six crop varieties during spaceflight.

These findings will contribute directly to India’s long-term space habitation goals, including missions to the Moon and, eventually, Mars.

Psychological and Operational Preparedness for Delays

Spaceflight delays, while routine in space missions, can be mentally taxing. Shukla’s exposure to such uncertainties during Ax-4 — from launch shifts to orbital adjustments — will prepare him to help future Indian astronauts cope with similar challenges.

Handling launch anxiety, staying mission-ready, and adapting to delays are all key components of astronaut readiness, and Shukla’s experience will form the baseline for India’s own space readiness protocols.

Designing a Unique Indian Spacecraft

Each nation builds spacecrafts suited to its own design philosophies. India’s crew module for Gaganyaan is distinct from those of Russia, the US, or China. With his cross-training across Russian and American systems, Shukla is uniquely placed to offer design feedback that will optimise India’s indigenous module. This includes:

• Ergonomics for Indian crew,

• Efficient layout planning,

• Monitoring systems integration, and

• Human-machine interface design.

This first-hand, in-orbit experience will allow Indian engineers to design a module grounded in practicality and precision.

Long-Term Strategic Recommendations

Experts, including former ISRO Chairman Dr. S. Somanath, recommend that India:

• Participate in more ISS missions before it’s decommissioned,

• Broaden astronaut training across multiple international platforms, and

• Engage with private industries, especially pharmaceuticals, to identify research opportunities in space.

The Indian government and ISRO can leverage Shukla’s Ax-4 learnings to establish protocols, partnerships, and technologies that enhance India’s footprint in global space exploration.

A New Era of Optics and Outreach

With enhanced media access compared to the 1980s, Shukla’s mission is poised to captivate millions of Indians, offering a positive narrative around India’s space prowess. The "Rakesh Sharma moment" of this generation, Shukla’s space travel is expected to galvanise STEM engagement and foster ambition in science and aerospace careers.

His mission represents more than an orbital journey — it’s a symbolic leap forward in India’s aspiration to become a top-tier space power.

Conclusion

Group Captain Shubhanshu Shukla’s journey to the ISS aboard the Ax-4 mission is a moment of national pride and global significance. It signifies India’s deepening involvement in human spaceflight, provides valuable scientific insights, and inspires a new generation to dream big.

As India marches ahead with Gaganyaan and dreams of its own space station, missions like Ax-4 offer the experience, collaboration, and confidence needed to transform those dreams into reality.

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