India will send its first astronaut to the International Space Station in May. IAF Group Captain Shubhanshu Shukla will become the first Indian to visit the ISS since Rakesh Sharma in 1984.
India is poised to send its first astronaut to space in over four decades, with Indian Air Force Group Captain Shubhanshu Shukla set to travel to the International Space Station (ISS) in May, Union Minister of State for Science and Technology Jitendra Singh announced on Friday.
Speaking after a high-level meeting to review the Indian Space Research Organisation’s (ISRO) upcoming plans, Singh said, “India is ready for its next space milestone.” He confirmed that Shukla would fly as part of Axiom Space’s Ax-4 mission, becoming the first Indian to visit the ISS and the first Indian in space since Rakesh Sharma’s historic 1984 mission aboard a Soviet Soyuz spacecraft, news agency IANS reported.
Highlighting the strategic significance of the mission, Singh stated that the collaboration with global partners and the ongoing progress of initiatives like Gaganyaan reflect “India’s commitment to becoming a global leader in space technology.” He further emphasised that such efforts are not only scientific endeavours but also align with the vision of a developed and self-reliant India.
Axiom Space’s Ax-4 mission To Support Gaganyaan
ISRO Chairman Dr V. Narayanan noted that Shukla is fully prepared for the upcoming mission, which is expected to provide crucial hands-on experience that will support India’s future human spaceflight initiatives, including Gaganyaan. Shukla, a decorated test pilot with the Indian Air Force, was shortlisted under ISRO’s Human Spaceflight Programme (HSP) and is among the leading contenders for India’s first indigenous crewed orbital flight.
His participation in the Ax-4 mission is expected to deliver key experiential insights into launch protocols, microgravity adaptation, emergency preparedness, and operational spaceflight—all vital elements for India’s ambitions in human space exploration, IANS's report stated.
What sets this mission apart, officials noted, is its focus on practical preparedness rather than symbolic achievement. Shukla’s upcoming journey marks a significant step in India’s deeper integration with global public-private partnerships in space, showcasing its resolve to emerge as a serious player in human space exploration, the report mentioned.
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