NEW DELHI — It’s been 41 years since an Indian first soared beyond Earth’s atmosphere. Now, after a long wait filled with dreams and aspirations, India is ready for its next big step into space — led by none other than Shubhanshu Shukla.
Shubhanshu, a test pilot with the Indian Air Force, is about to make history again. On June 11, from the Kennedy Space Center in Florida, he will blast off aboard a SpaceX Dragon spacecraft, joining three other astronauts for a mission that could last up to two weeks aboard the International Space Station.
This isn’t just any flight. Alongside Shukla will be Commander Peggy Whitson from the US, Mission Specialist Sławosz Uznański-Wiśniewski from Poland, and Mission Specialist Tibor Kapu from Hungary — a true symbol of global collaboration.
Back home in Lucknow, Shukla’s journey has stirred excitement and pride. The streets are adorned with posters wishing him luck, and people stop to take selfies with his images, as if sending their silent cheers all the way to space.
Shukla’s family recently found comfort when Israeli astronaut Eytan Stibbe, who flew on a previous Axiom Space mission, visited them, sharing encouragement and easing their nerves. It’s a reminder that behind every astronaut is a circle of love and support fueling their courage.
This mission also marks the beginning of a new chapter for India’s space ambitions under Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s vision. While India’s space program has already made incredible strides — like landing a spacecraft near the moon’s south pole in 2023 — the dream of sending Indians on homegrown rockets is closer than ever. The Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) plans to launch its own crewed mission by 2027, with even grander goals like an Indian space station by 2035 and landing an astronaut on the moon by 2040.
These ambitions have drawn attention and partnership offers from global space agencies. Just last month, the European Space Agency and Japan’s space agency signed deals to work closely with ISRO on future missions. As Sudheer Kumar, a former ISRO official, puts it: “It is India’s time now.” India’s blend of innovation, cost-efficiency, and growing private sector involvement is opening new doors.
Even the mission’s path wasn’t without drama. A recent social media spat between former US President Donald Trump and Elon Musk briefly cast doubt on the SpaceX Dragon’s availability, but Musk quickly set the record straight — the spacecraft is ready to fly.
Shukla’s mission also carries scientific hopes. Among his cargo are fenugreek seeds and mung beans, sent to germinate in space as part of a joint ISRO-NASA project. The findings could be vital in helping astronauts grow food on future missions — a small but significant step towards longer space journeys.
As Shubhanshu Shukla prepares to lift off, the world watches not just a man, but a nation’s dreams taking flight once more.
