Shubhanshu Shukla: Union Minister of State for Science and Technology Jitendra Singh on Friday announced that India is set to send its first astronaut into space in four decades.
Indian Air Force Group Captain Shubhanshu Shukla is set to travel to the International Space Station (ISS) in May.After a high-level meeting to review the upcoming plans of the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO), Singh said, “India is ready for its next space milestone”.
He confirmed that Shukla will fly as part of Axiom Space’s X-4 mission, making him the first Indian to visit the ISS and the first Indian to go to space since Rakesh Sharma’s historic 1984 mission on a Soviet Soyuz spacecraft.
Highlighting the strategic importance of the mission, Singh said collaboration with global partners and the ongoing progress of initiatives like Gaganyaan reflect “India’s commitment to become a global leader in space technology”.
He further emphasized that such efforts are not only scientific efforts but are also in line with the vision of a developed and self-reliant India.ISRO Chairman Dr V Narayanan said Shukla is fully prepared for the upcoming mission, which is expected to give him valuable practical experience that will support India’s future human space flight initiatives, including Gaganyaan.
Shukla, a decorated test pilot of the Indian Air Force, was selected under ISRO’s Human Space Flight Programme (HSP) and is one of the leading contenders for India’s first indigenous crewed orbital flight.
Their participation in the X-4 mission is expected to provide important experiential insights into launch protocols, microgravity adaptation, emergency preparedness and operational space flight – all crucial elements for India’s ambitions in human space exploration.
