Group Captain Shubhanshu Shukla, India’s second astronaut to venture into space, has announced his eagerness to leverage the insights gathered during his recent Axiom-4 mission for the Gaganyaan initiative. Returning from a 21-day journey that included 18 days aboard the International Space Station (ISS), Shukla’s flight marks a significant step in enhancing India’s role in human space exploration.
During a joint press briefing alongside his Axiom-4 crewmates—Commander Peggy Whitson, Sławosz Uznański-Wiśniewski, and Tibor Kapu—Shukla described his experience as both transformative and invaluable. Characterizing the journey as intense, he stated it effectively compressed a year’s worth of learning into a mere three weeks.
One of the most poignant moments for Shukla occurred after landing when he had a conversation with Prime Minister Narendra Modi. He reflected on this exchange as a powerful reminder of India’s much-anticipated return to space, which had been absent for 41 years. He articulated a vision of this mission as a second beginning for India in the realm of space, positioning the country to assume a leading role in future explorations.
Discussing the preparation for the Axiom-4 mission, Shukla shared that training began in August 2024. Despite rigorous simulations, he faced unique challenges in adapting to the realities of microgravity during his time in space. Shukla noted that while the initial disorientation proved daunting, he acclimatized quickly and successfully conducted a full array of experiments and tasks aboard the ISS.
Post-mission, he detailed his physical recovery experience, stating he struggled with walking immediately after reentry but regained his strength and balance within days, aided by rehabilitation exercises. He reported now feeling physically normal and mentally poised for upcoming missions.
Expressing his gratitude to the Indian Air Force, ISRO, NASA, SpaceX, and the Government of India, Shukla conveyed that the real work is just beginning. He emphasized his readiness to apply his firsthand experience to help guide India’s first indigenous human spaceflight.
“This is just the beginning of India’s future in human space exploration,” he affirmed, reiterating his commitment to support the Gaganyaan program in every possible way.
