Produced by: Tarun Mishra Designed by: Manoj Kumar
The Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) has chosen Group Captain Shubhanshu Shukla as the primary astronaut for the upcoming Indo-US mission to the International Space Station (ISS).
Group Captain Prashanth Balakrishnan Nair has been designated as the backup astronaut for the mission, highlighting India's commitment to the collaboration with the US.
Born on October 10, 1985, in Lucknow, Uttar Pradesh, Shukla was recently promoted within the Indian Air Force. He is an alumnus of the National Defence Academy and was commissioned on June 17, 2006, in the fighter stream.
Shukla is a Fighter Combat Leader and a test pilot with approximately 2,000 hours of flying experience. He has flown various aircraft, including Sukhoi-30MKI, Mig-21, Mig-29, An-32, Dornier, Hawk, and Jaguar.
Inspired by the bravery displayed during the Kargil War in 1999, Shukla joined the armed forces. The conflict, which occurred when he was 14, played a pivotal role in shaping his career aspirations.
At 39, Shukla is the youngest astronaut-designate selected for this mission, representing a significant milestone in his career.
The Axiom Mission-4, scheduled for October 2024, is a private spaceflight to the ISS. It will be operated by Axiom Space and supported by a SpaceX Crew Dragon spacecraft, launching from the Kennedy Space Centre in Florida.
The mission is expected to last 14 days and marks a crucial step in international space cooperation, involving ISRO, Axiom Space, and NASA.
Born on August 26, 1976, in Thiruvazhiyad, Kerala, Nair is also an alumnus of the National Defence Academy. He was commissioned to the fighter stream on December 19, 1998, and has logged around 3,000 hours of flying experience. He is a distinguished flying instructor and a recipient of the Sword of Honour at the Air Force Academy.