Accidental astronaut: How a spare form is sending Shubhanshu to space

Group Captain Shubhanshu Shukla is all set to make history. On 10 June 2025, he will become the first Indian to visit the International Space Station (ISS) — and only the second Indian ever in space, after Rakesh Sharma in 1984. But what makes his journey truly extraordinary is how it began — completely by accident.

A Life-Changing Favour

Born in 1985 in Lucknow, Shubhanshu’s journey to the skies began not out of personal ambition, but as a favour to a friend. At age 17, a classmate was unable to apply to the National Defence Academy (NDA) due to ineligibility.

According to a BBC report, not wanting the form to go to waste, the friend urged Shubhanshu to apply in his place. He did — and cleared the exam. That unplanned decision led to a career that would soon be aimed at the stars.

Wings of the Nation

After graduating from NDA, Shubhanshu was commissioned into the Indian Air Force in 2006. Over the years, he has logged more than 2,000 hours of flying experience in India’s premier fighter jets — including the MiG-21, MiG-29, and Su-30 MKI. His exceptional record earned him a spot in ISRO’s astronaut training programme in 2019, as one of four men shortlisted for the Gaganyaan mission — India’s maiden human spaceflight programme, planned for 2027.

Ax-4: A Stepping Stone to Gaganyaan

Shubhanshu will now pilot Axiom Mission 4 (Ax-4), a commercial spaceflight to the ISS under NASA’s private spaceflight initiative, led by Axiom Space. This mission serves as crucial real-world training ahead of Gaganyaan.

He will live and work in microgravity, gaining operational knowledge that will directly inform India's human spaceflight programme. The mission reflects the growing collaboration between ISRO and NASA, and is being funded by India — reportedly at a cost of ₹200 crore.

Carrying a Nation’s Dream

From an unplanned application to a historic mission, Shubhanshu Shukla’s story is one of destiny, discipline, and quiet courage. As he embarks on this journey, he carries not just the Indian tricolour, but the aspirations of a nation preparing to leave its mark in space.

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