Indian astronaut Shubhanshu Shukla's father has a message for his son
A wave of pride and jubilation has swept through Lucknow as Indian Air Force (IAF) Group Captain Shubhanshu Shukla gears up to embark on a historic journey to the International Space Station (ISS) with Axiom Space's fourth private astronaut mission, scheduled for launch on June 8.Group Captain Shukla, who will become the first astronaut from the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) to visit the ISS, is set to make history as India's second national astronaut in space since Rakesh Sharma's iconic 1984 mission.advertisementThe Ax-4 mission, a joint effort between NASA, ISRO, and the European Space Agency (ESA), marks a significant milestone in India's growing role in international space exploration.
The excitement is palpable in Shukla's hometown. His father, Shambhu Dayal Shukla, expressed immense pride and gratitude, stating, 'We are delighted. Now, his goal has been achieved. He has been preparing for this since 2019. I wish this mission to be successful. It is a matter of pride for the nation.'He also thanked Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath for their support.Asha Shukla, the astronaut's mother, highlighted the crucial role of family support, especially from Shukla's wife. 'It is a big achievement. We are proud of him. Our daughter-in-law has supported him a lot. He could not have done this without her support,' she said.advertisementPromoted to group captain in March 2024, Shukla is an accomplished IAF pilot with over 2,000 flight hours on a range of aircraft. He is also among the astronauts selected for ISRO's upcoming Gaganyaan mission, India's first human spaceflight program.
Promoted to group captain in March 2024, Shukla is an accomplished IAF pilot with over 2,000 flight hours. (Photo: Axiom Space)
Joining Shukla on the Ax-4 mission are ESA project astronaut Slawosz Uznanski-Wisniewski of Poland, Tibor Kapu of Hungary, and mission commander Peggy Whitson, a veteran NASA astronaut.The crew will conduct nearly 60 scientific investigations from 31 countries, with ISRO spearheading transformative research in collaboration with NASA and ESA.As the countdown begins, Lucknow and the nation watch with pride, hopeful for another triumphant chapter in India's space odyssey.Must Watch
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