
"He Has Always Been Determined": Indian Astronaut Shubhanshu Shukla's Father To NDTV
Quick Read
Summary is AI generated, newsroom reviewed.
Shubhanshu Shukla is set to become the first Indian astronaut at the ISS in 41 years.
His parents express immense pride and excitement ahead of his historic mission.
Mr Shukla has been dedicated to his goals since childhood, showing strong perseverance.
New Delhi:
The parents of Indian astronaut Shubhanshu Shukla are filled with excitement and pride as their son is set to lift off to the International Space Station (ISS) tomorrow. Mr Shukla will be the first Indian astronaut to reach the ISS in 41 years - after Rakesh Sharma.
According to Mr Shukla's father, Shambhu Dayal Shukla, the astronaut has always been determined.
"Shubhanshu has always been the kind of person who, when he decides to do something, puts in all his hard work and dedication. He's been working hard for this mission, too. We wanted him to have a government job initially. But we never stopped him from following his dream, joining the force. We never even thought of saying no," Mr Shambhu told NDTV.
Mr Shukla joined the National Defence Academy (NDA) at the age of 16.
"He always kept preparing for one mission after another. We get to know when he has completed it. And then, he always strives to do more. We can never shout at him either, because no matter how angry we are, when he comes in front of us, we calm down naturally," Mr Shukla's father said.
The Indian astronaut's mother, Asha Shukla, told NDTV that he never used to go out of the house to play.
"He was brilliant at studying. He was never mischievous. There were no complaints from his teachers, they only used to praise him. But he never used to go out and play. He used to play at home with his sisters," Ms Shukla said.
She said that they are extremely excited for Mr Shukla's mission, which she cannot even express in words.
"It is a very emotional and proud moment for us. Till now, everyone used to remember Rakesh Sharma; now they will also remember Shubhanshu Shukla," she said.
Born in October 1985 in Lucknow, Mr Shukla's journey to the stars began in the classroom. He was inspired by the heroic soldiers during the Kargil War. Determined to serve his country, Mr Shukla cleared the UPSC NDA exam and earned a bachelor's in computer science from the NDA in 2004.
In 2006, he was commissioned into the Indian Air Force. He quickly distinguished himself as a combat leader and test pilot. In 2019, he was shortlisted by the Institute of Aerospace Medicine for ISRO's astronaut training group. In 2024, PM Modi officially announced his name as one of the four astronauts for the Gaganyaan mission.
The US-based Axiom Space is set to launch its Mission-4, carrying Mr Shukla, along with three others, from the Kennedy Space Centre in Florida aboard a SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket on June 10 at 5:52 pm IST. The mission was deferred three times before. According to NASA, the delay was to "account for weather during vehicle transportation and completing final processing of the vehicle ahead of launch".
Hashtags

Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles


Time of India
28 minutes ago
- Time of India
More Starlink satellites are falling, and it's because of the sun: Here's how
Double trouble! and his billion-dollar space company have both been facing a difficult time recently. While the former is a victim of his own actions, his company is being attacked by the king of the solar system – the sun. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now According to a recent study by a NASA research center, cited by media reports, the Sun's intensifying activity is affecting Earth's satellites, particularly those in SpaceX's Starlink constellation. As the Sun approaches the peak of its 11-year cycle, there is a surge in geomagnetic storms which is causing more and more Starlink satellites to deorbit and fall from the sky. On Monday, an expert warned that while the Starlink satellites typically burn-up during atmospheric re-entry, their de-orbiting phase presents significant risks, as their unpredictable trajectories can create collision hazards for other spacecraft present in Low Earth Orbit (LEO). After their launch in 2019, SpaceX satellites began their atmospheric re-entry in 2020 when two satellites fell from the sky. However, in the progressive years, more and more such satellites have fallen. In 2021, 78 satellites fell, in 2022, 99 satellites fell; and in 2023, 88 fell. The figure surged even higher in 2024 when 316 Starlink satellites fell out of the sky, as per a report by a team led by space physicist Denny Oliviera of the NASA Goddard Space Flight Center, reported Science Alert. It was when the researchers analysed the 523 Starlink satellites that entered the Earth's atmosphere again between 2020 and 2024, that they figured out the clear correlation with solar behaviour. This was the period when the Sun escalated towards the peak of its activity cycle. "We clearly show that the intense solar activity of the current solar cycle has already had significant impacts on Starlink reentries," wrote the researchers. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now "This is a very exciting time in satellite orbital drag research, as the number of satellites in low-Earth orbit and the level of solar activity are at historic highs." What is the 11 year cycle? Image credits: Getty Images The solar cycle is an 11-year cycle of fluctuations in the Sun's activity, and currently it is at the peak of this cycle. This means a rise in solar activity and thus solar ejections, which has left the upper atmosphere heating up significantly. The added heat energy causes the atmosphere to expand, increasing the drag on spacecraft in low Earth orbit and making it difficult for them to maintain their trajectories. "This phenomenon is normal and is caused by atmospheric anomalies due to heightened solar activity. When solar activity intensifies, the upper boundary rises, increasing collisions between low-orbit satellites and atmospheric molecules, which accelerates orbital decay. The satellites gradually lose speed and eventually deorbit," Wang Ya'nan, chief editor of Beijing-based Aerospace Knowledge magazine, told the Global Times on Monday. Typically, high-value satellites have autonomous orbit adjustment capabilities that allow them to handle the impact of the solar activities. However, the Starlink satellites that have been designed as low-cost, high-density, mass-produced satellites have a weaker orbit control. According to Wang, Starlink satellites burn up quickly and thus are unlikely to become long-term space debris or hit Earth's surface. They just pose an ability to affect other low-orbit space launches.


India Gazette
38 minutes ago
- India Gazette
Gauhati University becomes first in India to pioneer experiments with VECC's superconducting cyclotron
Guwahati (Assam) [India], June 9 (ANI): Gauhati University has become the first institution in India to conduct experiments using the recently commissioned Superconducting Cyclotron at the Variable Energy Cyclotron Centre (VECC) in Kolkata, marking a significant development in Indian nuclear physics research. The Variable Energy Cyclotron Centre (VECC) Superconducting Cyclotron is like a high-speed ride for tiny particles, such as protons or ions. It uses strong magnets and electric currents to spin these particles to incredibly high speeds, reaching energies between 400 and 500 million electron volts (MeV). This is much more powerful than other similar machines in India, which can only reach up to 250 MeV. By speeding up particles to such high energies, scientists can study how the tiniest building blocks of atoms behave in extreme conditions, helping us learn more about how the universe works. Other facilities in India, like those at the Tata Institute of Fundamental Research (TIFR) in Mumbai and the Inter University Accelerator Centre (IUAC) in New Delhi, can only work with lower energies, up to 250 MeV. The VECC Cyclotron's higher energy range allows scientists to explore new areas of nuclear physics, such as how atoms split apart in a process called nuclear fission. The experiment, which took place over two months, was led by Prof Kushal Kalita from the Department of Physics, Gauhati University along with his PhD students, and in collaboration with Dr TK Ghosh and Amit Sen from VECC. Their work focused on understanding how atoms split at these high energies, adding valuable knowledge to nuclear physics. Prof Nani Gopal Mahanta, Vice Chancellor of Gauhati University, praised the achievement and said, 'Using the VECC Superconducting Cyclotron, which can reach energies up to 500 MeV, we can study how atoms behave in ways we couldn't before. This experiment is a big step forward, and Gauhati University is proud to be part of it.' Prof Kalita said, 'Working with VECC has allowed us to explore parts of nuclear fission that other Indian facilities can't study because of their lower energy limits.' This successful experiment paves the way for more exciting discoveries in nuclear physics in India and opens doors for future collaborations between universities and research centres. (ANI)


India Gazette
38 minutes ago
- India Gazette
Gujarat CM Bhupendra Patel inaugurates Shri Swaminarayan Gurukul, commences academic session in Dabhoi
Gandhinagar (Gujarat) [India], June 9 (ANI): Gujarat Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel inaugurated the newly constructed Swaminarayan Gurukul in Dabhoi, Vadodara district, and formally commenced the academic session. The event was graced by the presence of saints, spiritual leaders, and distinguished dignitaries, according to the release. He said that 'In the Indian education system along with knowledge, values are also essential.' He further explained that in the ancient Gurukul tradition, princes received education and initiation from revered sages. Lord Rama was educated by sages Vashishta and Vishwamitra, while Lord Shri Krishna acquired knowledge from Rishi Sandipani. This very Gurukul tradition is now being revitalised through modern methods, thereby honouring and preserving our ancient heritage. The Chief Minister stated that institutions like these are, in contemporary times, blending the Gurukul tradition with modern advancements to offer students not only academic knowledge but also value-based and culturally grounded training essential for holistic development. The establishment of a modern hostel alongside a technologically equipped school campus marks the beginning of a new era in education. He expressed firm belief that this Gurukul by the Swaminarayan institution will nurture a generation poised for a bright future founded on patriotism, values, and spirituality. He mentioned that under the New Education Policy, which advances the legacy of ancient universities like Nalanda and Takshashila, the Prime Minister has established sector-specific universities. For the first time, an education system rooted in Indian tradition and based on the mother tongue has been implemented. Under the Prime Minister's guidance, the state government is bringing quality improvements in schools through the Gunotsav campaign. CM Patel emphasised that special attention has been given to the education of girls through initiatives such as Kanya Kelavani and Shala Praveshotsav. Chief Minister stated that through the Namo Lakshmi and Namo Saraswati Yojana, students are being encouraged to opt for science streams. 'Within just one year, there has been a 27 percent increase in the number of students enrolling in the science stream. Through Mission School of Excellence and Vidya Samiksha Kendra, both standards and quality of education have progressed,' he said. The Prime Minister has resolved to establish India not just as a developing nation but as Viksit Bharat by 2047. Chief Minister urged that to realize this resolution, we must all contribute to shaping an 'Amrit Generation' that is educated, value-oriented, and determined. The CM mentioned that institutions like Shri Swaminarayan Gurukul play a vital role in supporting environmental initiatives led by the Prime Minister, including Ek Ped Maa Ke Naam, Catch the Rain, and No Usage of Single Use Plastic. Congratulating Prime Minister Narendra Modi and all the brave soldiers of the Indian Army who displayed exceptional valour in protecting Bharat Mata for the unforgettable success of Operation Sindoor, the Chief Minister said that this operation has given a new direction to India's fight against terrorism. The Prime Minister has set such an example of national defence that it will inspire future generations to serve the nation. MLA Shailesh Mehta stated that, considering the cultural ethos of Darbhavati Nagari, the establishment of a Gurukul imparting value-based education had become a vital necessity. Under the leadership of the institution's directors--K P Swami, Nautam Swami, and Bapu Swami--this Gurukul has not merely been inaugurated today, but has marked the beginning of a new chapter in shaping the future of Darbhavati Nagari. 'The Chief Minister has shown special affection for Darbhavati by providing unique grants and developmental schemes, and therefore, I proudly say today that the Chief Minister's contribution to Darbhavati's development is invaluable. I express my heartfelt gratitude to him for that,' Mehta said. Jitubhai Vaghani, MLA Bhavnagar, stated that generally, when any educational institution is managed by commercial entities, it often operates with a profit-oriented approach. However, when such institutions are managed by saints, they are guided by a spirit of service and are enriched with cultural and moral values -- a truth that society has experienced firsthand. Swaminarayan Gurukul is not just an educational institution; it is an abode of values. Such institutions, equipped with modern technology and rooted in values, contribute not only to teaching but also to showing students how to live. The real success of a Gurukul is when students feel drawn to attend, to study, and are shaped with Indianness, ethics, and patriotism alongside their education, the release said. Nautam Swami presented an outline of Swaminarayan Gurukul's activities. (ANI)