Shubhanshu Shukla Axiom-4 Mission Live Updates: India ready for liftoff
India is on the brink of a historic milestone as Group Captain Shubhanshu Shukla prepares to launch to the International Space Station (ISS) on Wednesday. He will become the first Indian to visit the ISS and only the second Indian to travel to space since Rakesh Sharma's groundbreaking mission in 1984.
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Welcome to India Today Science LIVE Blog as we begin the coverage of the historic launch of Indian astronaut Shubhanshu Shukla to space.
Join us as we bring you all the latest updates from across India and Florida as the country's second astronaut sets out on a historic space voyage.
Photo: Axiom Space
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Time of India
18 minutes ago
- Time of India
A look at Indian astronaut Subhanshu Shukla's fairytale love story with his dentist wife. His educational qualifications and family background
While the Axiom Mission 4 etched history by launching Indian Air Force Group Captain Shubhanshu Shukla to the International Space Station on Wednesday, it's not just the nation celebrating his journey—his wife Kamna, who's known him since childhood, stands as his biggest source of strength. The SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket lifted off from Launch Complex 39A at NASA's Kennedy Space Centre in Florida at 12:01 PM IST, marking the first time an Indian astronaut has embarked on a mission to the ISS in collaboration with NASA and SpaceX. Coordinated by Axiom Space, the crewed Dragon spacecraft is expected to dock with the station on Thursday around 4:30 PM IST. Just hours before liftoff, Shukla penned an emotional note for his wife, expressing his gratitude and calling her an irreplaceable part of his journey. Kamna responded with love and pride. Amid this, let's take a look at their love story. Subhanshu Shukla and his dentist wife Kamna The couple's story goes back decades—they first met in primary school in Lucknow and have been friends ever since. Kamna, speaking to the Times of India ahead of the launch, recalled knowing Shubhanshu as the quiet boy in class who would grow up to become a national inspiration. Their relationship has weathered the challenges of distance, missed moments, and an unconventional life of high-stakes service. Kamna shared how deeply it pained him to miss out on key moments of their son's early childhood, but added that his focus has always been unwavering. She likened his determination to that of Arjuna from the Mahabharata, single-minded and precise. At home, Shukla is known as a disciplined man with a quiet spirit. A lover of non-fiction, fitness, and father-son mischief, he lives with resilience and an innate focus on problem-solving. Kamna described his fearless leap from fighter jets to space capsules as a complete transformation, but one that defines his never-give-up attitude. For her, it's not just about his place among the stars—it's about the man who quotes Dory from Finding Nemo and lives by her motto of 'keep swimming', no matter how challenging the situation is. You Might Also Like: 'Without you...': Indian Astronaut Subhanshu Shukla's thank you message to dentist wife as he goes on Axiom 4 space mission His educational qualifications, career and family background Shubhanshu Shukla's journey began in the classrooms of City Montessori School (CMS), Aliganj Campus, in Lucknow. But the turning point came in 1998, during the Kargil conflict , which ignited in him a deep desire to serve the nation. Driven by determination and without informing his family, he quietly applied for the UPSC National Defence Academy (NDA) examination and cleared it. He went on to graduate from NDA in 2005 with a Bachelor's degree in Computer Science, followed by flight training at the Indian Air Force Academy. In 2006, he was officially commissioned into the fighter stream of the Indian Air Force. Shukla also holds a Master's degree in Aerospace Engineering from the prestigious Indian Institute of Science (IISc), Bengaluru. Over the years, Shukla has carved out a distinguished career as both a combat pilot and a test pilot in the Indian Air Force. With nearly 2,000 hours of flying experience, his record spans a wide array of aircraft. His precision, discipline, and technical expertise led to his selection in 2019 as one of four astronaut-designates for India's ambitious Gaganyaan mission . He has since undergone rigorous astronaut training at the Yuri Gagarin Cosmonaut Training Centre in Russia, as well as India's Astronaut Training Facility in Bengaluru.
United News of India
20 minutes ago
- United News of India
Historic AX-4ISS Mission piloted by Indian Astro takes off for 14-day docking at ISS
Chennai, June 25 (UNI) Carrying the hopes and dreams of billions, the Axiom-4 Mission piloted by decorated Indian astronaut Group Captain Shubhanshu Shukla, along with three other crew members to the International Space Station (ISS) for a 14-day experiment, lifts off from Kennedy Space Centre Florida at 12.01 pm IST (02.31 EDT) today onboard the Space Dragon Aircraft. After about a 28 hour flight duration, the four crew from India, US, Hungary and Poland, will dock at ISS at 7.00 am tomorrow.
Time of India
21 minutes ago
- Time of India
Shubhanshu Shukla career path: How a fighter pilot became India's space trailblazer
As the countdown ticks toward one of India's most defining moments in human spaceflight, all eyes are on Group Captain Shubhanshu Shukla . The Axiom-4 mission to the International Space Station—carrying Shukla and three other astronauts is scheduled to lift off at 12:01 pm IST on Wednesday from NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Florida. Delayed from its original June 22 timeline, the mission now targets a launch window of 2:31 am EDT (12 noon IST), marking a historic chapter for Indian aerospace. But this moment is no sudden ascent. Shukla's career has been meticulously built across two demanding arenas: national defence and aerospace science. A graduate of the National Defence Academy and a decorated combat and test pilot in the Indian Air Force , he has clocked more than 2,000 flying hours across frontline aircraft. His academic pursuit led him to a Master's in Aerospace Engineering from the Indian Institute of Science, followed by extensive astronaut training in Russia, India, Europe, and Japan. Now, with the world watching, his trajectory into orbit is not just symbolic—it is earned. Taking wing: The Indian Air Force years Shukla's journey began at the National Defence Academy in 2003, where military rigor met academic intensity. He was commissioned into the Indian Air Force in 2006 and swiftly established himself as a formidable combat and test pilot. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like New Cooling Tech Making Ductless ACs Go Mainstream [take a look] Keep Cool Click Here Undo With over 2,000 flight hours on advanced aircraft like the Su-30 MKI, MiG-29, Jaguar, and others, he honed the sharp instincts and high-stakes decision-making that space travel demands. His rise within the IAF was defined not merely by flying hours but by the depth of his technical mastery and his ability to lead in dynamic environments. These traits would later underpin his selection for one of the most elite and demanding missions of the decade. Engineering the future: Academia meets aerospace While Shukla was building a reputation in India's skies, he was also strengthening his intellectual foundation. After earning a Bachelor's degree in Computer Science from NDA, he pursued a Master's in Aerospace Engineering at the Indian Institute of Science (IISc), Bengaluru. There, he delved into aerodynamics, propulsion systems, and spacecraft mechanics—subjects that equipped him to navigate not just aircraft but the challenges of orbital mechanics. This fusion of military discipline with scientific depth made him an ideal candidate for India's ambitious human spaceflight programme. It also reflected a broader evolution in India's approach to space: technical sophistication anchored in homegrown talent. Becoming an astronaut: Gaganyaan and global readiness Shukla's selection in 2019 for the Gaganyaan mission marked a turning point—not only for his career but for India's manned space programme. His training took him to the Yuri Gagarin Cosmonaut Training Centre in Moscow, where he underwent rigorous simulations, survival exercises, and physical conditioning. Further training at India's astronaut facility in Bengaluru refined his readiness for orbital life. But Shukla's preparation crossed multiple international frontiers. Training modules at the European Space Agency in Germany and Japan's Aerospace Exploration Agency added layers of versatility, preparing him for the collaborative and multicultural environment aboard the ISS. Aboard Axiom Mission 4: India's experiment in space diplomacy Now officially set to lift off aboard Axiom Mission 4—a landmark international collaboration between NASA, SpaceX, and ISRO—Group Captain Shubhanshu Shukla is poised to become the first Indian citizen to live and work aboard the International Space Station. Launching from Kennedy Space Center aboard SpaceX's Crew Dragon at 12:01 pm IST on Wednesday, the mission features astronauts from the United States, Poland, and Hungary. Shukla's inclusion underscores India's growing stature in the global space arena, marking a strategic shift from satellite launches to human spaceflight leadership. Over the course of his 14-day stay on the ISS, Shukla will carry out seven scientific experiments, including joint initiatives with ISRO and the Department of Biotechnology. These experiments—ranging from seed germination in microgravity to biological studies relevant to space sustainability—aim to generate critical insights for long-duration missions and planetary habitation models, bringing Indian science to the forefront of extraterrestrial research. Is your child ready for the careers of tomorrow? Enroll now and take advantage of our early bird offer! Spaces are limited.
