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India Today
9 minutes ago
- Science
- India Today
The Shubhanshu Shukla Effect: What pilot jobs look like in 2025 and beyond
When Group Captain Shubhanshu Shukla, a seasoned Indian Air Force (IAF) pilot, was named among the four astronauts shortlisted for India's first human spaceflight mission under Gaganyaan, and later as the primary pilot on the Axiom-4 (Ax-4) mission to the International Space Station, it sparked a wave of inspiration among aviation aspirants across the country.'His journey exemplifies a paradigm shift -- from defending airspace to exploring it,' says Dr Anand Jacob Verghese, Chairman of Hindustan Group of Institutions. 'It sends a strong message: a pilot's skill set is no longer bound by altitude limits.'advertisementOnce viewed as a profession limited to the cockpit, piloting in India is undergoing a transformation. The emergence of drone technologies, growing interest in human spaceflight, and advancements in AI and aerospace research are all opening up new pathways for pilots -- especially those with the right blend of skill and vision. 'Group Captain Shubhanshu Shukla's transition highlights that skilled pilots can go beyond traditional air force roles and enter elite space exploration programmes,' says Dr Syed Alay Hashim, Associate Professor and Director, Centre of Excellence Propulsion Systems at Alliance University. Professor Dr Ganesh Kakandikar, Associate Dean at MIT-WPU, adds: 'Starting with Rakesh Sharma, Kalpana Chawla to Group Captain Shubhanshu Shukla, all are ideal personalities for the Indian youth. They are global icons for everyone, who wish to career in space technology.'As India's aviation and space industries evolve rapidly, pilot training is becoming a launchpad for careers far beyond the cockpit, enabling students to dream beyond conventional career options where you can take to the spoke to experts to understand what lies beyond the cockpit for India's new generation of pilots -- and how they can prepare for it.A PILOT'S ROLE ISN'T JUST FLYING ANYMOREFor decades, the cockpit was considered the final destination for any pilot. But that story is changing trained pilots -- from both the Indian Air Force and commercial airlines — are increasingly expanding their footprint far beyond flight decks. They're taking on strategic roles in safety, training, drone tech, aerospace research, space exploration, and even education.'Indian Air Force and airline-trained pilots are now moving into roles in space programmes, aviation management, drone technology, and aerospace research,' says Dr Syed Alay Hashim. 'Their skills in precision, decision-making, and technical knowledge are being applied in diverse fields beyond flying.'Former IAF officers are heading safety boards, drone start-ups, and aviation schools. Many commercial pilots are stepping into roles as flight safety auditors, Crew Resource Management (CRM) trainers, simulator instructors, policy advisors, and aviation entrepreneurs. 'Retired pilots bring deep operational insight, mentorship instincts, and pedagogical maturity,' adds Dr Anand Jacob Verghese. 'They're shaping the very backbone of India's next generation of aviators.'India's fast-growing drone industry is another hotbed for this shift. Several DGCA-certified Remote Pilot Training Organisations (RPTOs) are now run by ex-IAF and airline veterans. 'They're designing drone training protocols, leading BVLOS missions, and ensuring unmanned aviation carries the same safety culture as traditional flying,' says Dr of these seasoned flyers are also transforming aviation education. They're now leading Flying Training Organisations (FTOs) not just as instructors, but as curriculum architects, examiner mentors, and DGCA compliance to Prof Kakandikar, this shift is changing how society views the pilot identity. 'Indian Air Force and airline-trained pilots are increasingly challenging and reshaping that narrative,' he says, 'leveraging their skills and discipline to succeed in a range of high-impact roles such as aviation leadership and management, aerospace and defence tech, training and simulation.'This shift is transforming how society sees pilots -- not just as flyers, but as critical decision-makers, innovators, and educators in the aviation ecosystem. advertisementNEW PATHS OPEN UP: FROM DRONES TO DATAThe last decade has introduced Indian pilots to a whole new set of roles they couldn't have imagined before:Drone and UAV OperationsUAV command for Beyond Visual Line of Sight (BVLOS) missionsDrone robotics and unmanned aerial system (UAS) operationsHuman-Centred Aviation ResearchHuman factors research to optimise pilot performance with AISimulator instruction and pilot training innovationSpace and Mission Support CareersHuman spaceflight training and astronaut mission supportSpace mission readiness and recovery operationsFlight Systems and Data EngineeringFlight data analytics for safety, efficiency, and predictive maintenanceAirline operations engineering using real-time dataAerospace Development and RegulationTest flying and aircraft design developmentAerospace and air safety regulatory consultancyAir traffic regulation and aviation policy formulationEducation, Mentorship and SafetyAviation curriculum development and examiner mentorship rolesSafety investigation and accident analysisA decade ago, these roles were rare -- if not unheard of. Today, they're part of a fast-evolving aerospace roles reflect a future-ready aviation economy,' says Dr Verghese. 'Flying experience is foundational, but tech fluency and innovation matter just as much.' WHY PILOTS FIT INTO THESE ROLES SO WELLWhat makes trained pilots so versatile?They're not just experienced -- they're system thinkers with nerves of steel. 'An efficient pilot should possess a rare blend of crisis decision-making, systems thinking, and procedural accuracy,' says Dr Kakandikar echoes this: 'Trained pilots are uniquely well-suited for roles in safety investigation, drone technology, and airline management because of their deep expertise in technical systems, flying experience under varying conditions, decision-making, perception, and leadership under pressure.'FUTURE-PROOFING YOUR CAREERAviation is no longer just about collecting flight hours. With rising automation and AI systems in aircraft and air traffic management, pilots must now broaden their toolkit by equipping themselves with technical, regulatory, and analytical skills.'Pilots can future-proof their careers by gaining skills in aviation management, data analytics, AI applications, and aerospace systems,' says Dr. Hashim. 'Engaging in continuous learning and interdisciplinary education will be key.'advertisement'Future-proofing in aviation requires continuous upskilling in drone tech, simulator systems, and aviation data analytics,' says Dr Verghese. He suggests adding credentials like MBA Aviation, Human Factors, or AI in Aerospace to your idea isn't to replace flying, but to evolve with it.'Aviation is no longer just a flying job. It's a leadership role in global transport, defence, and innovation. Pilots who adapt, mentor, analyse, and innovate will find themselves at the helm of tomorrow's aviation frontier,' he today are enrolling in part-time management degrees, defence strategy programmes, and aerospace engineering courses to stay relevant -- a trend experts say will only grow stronger. AVIATION CAREER ROADMAP FOR CLASS 10/12 STUDENTSMany Indian students begin dreaming of a pilot's uniform in school. But the roadmap isn't always clear. Here's a straightforward career path aspirants can follow:After Class 10:Opt for Science stream with Physics, Chemistry, and Mathematics (PCM).Focus on developing strong English and communication early exposure via NCC Air Wing or aviation hobby Class 12 (with PCM):Enrol in a DGCA-approved flying school for a Commercial Pilot License (CPL). This includes ground subjects, simulator training, and flight DGCA exams and accumulate the required 200+ flight write the NDA exam for entry into the IAF as a university programmes like BSc in Aviation, BTech in Aerospace Engineering, or BBA Aviation offer strong foundational or parallel upskilling:Add certifications in Drone Operations, AI in Aviation, Aerodynamics, or Aviation management or regulatory roles via MBA Aviation, Safety Management courses, or Aerospace MTech Hashim recommends that students 'stay informed about global aviation trends, space research, and drone technology. Students who start early with STEM-focused learning and disciplined training have a huge edge.' FROM G-FORCE TO FORCE MULTIPLIERIndia's growing focus on indigenous defence production, Gaganyaan, and drone tech means pilots will no longer just be cockpit commanders. They will be engineers, analysts, trainers, and explorers — contributing to both national pride and global Captain Shubhanshu Shukla may be training for space now, but his story is about more than zero gravity. It's about lifting off from one career and landing in another, without ever losing Dr. Verghese aptly puts it: 'Our youth need to understand that pilots today are not just operators of machines -- they're creators of the future.'It's about knowing how far you can go -- even beyond the sky.- Ends
The Hindu
7 hours ago
- Health
- The Hindu
Shubhanshu Shukla undergoing rehabilitation to mitigate any adverse effect of microgravity: ISRO
Indian astronaut Group Captain Shubhanshu Shukla who returned to earth on July 15 after spending 18 days in the International Space Station as part of the Axiom Mission 4 (Ax-4) mission is undergoing a week-long rehabilitation programme to mitigate any adverse effect of microgravity. According to ISRO after Group Captain Shukla was extracted by SpaceX's recovery teams on July 15 and preliminary health checks were carried out at the recovery ship. 'Initial health assessments indicated that Gaganyatri Shukla was in stable condition with no immediate concerns reported. He was airlifted by helicopter from the recovery ship to the mainland for further medical evaluations and debriefing sessions,' ISRO said on Thursday. It further added that the Indian astronaut was flown to Houston for a week-long rehabilitation programme to mitigate any adverse effect of microgravity. 'This is being administered by Axiom's flight surgeon and ISRO's flight surgeon is also participating in this program. This includes a series of medical checks especially cardiovascular assessments, musculoskeletal tests psychological debrief. The rehabilitation activities of Gaganyatri focus on monitoring physical and mental health, addressing any effects of microgravity, and preparing him for a return to normal activities,' ISRO said. Shubhanshu Shukla meets his family Group Captain Shukla also met his family members at Houston. Group Captain Shukla, who is the pilot for the Ax-4 mission is the first Indian to go to the ISS. He along with his Commander Peggy Whitson of the U.S., Mission Specialist Sławosz Uznański-Wiśniewski of Poland, and Mission Specialist Tibor Kapu of Hungary spend 18 days in the ISS before heading back home onboard a SpaceX Dragon which splashed down off the coast of San Diego in the United States on July 15. During the stay at the ISS the crew completed over 60 research activities and 23 outreach events.
Indian Express
21 hours ago
- Science
- Indian Express
What Shubhanshu Shukla came back to Earth with: A beautiful view and knowledge to boost India's space mission
Written by Mila Mitra The Axiom Mission 4 (Ax-4), which returned to Earth on July 15, heralded a pivotal moment in India's space exploration journey. Launched on June 25, this international collaboration mission carried astronauts from the US, India, Hungary and Poland, marking the return to space for the latter three after decades. Group Captain Shubhanshu Shukla, the mission pilot, became the first Indian astronaut to live and work on the International Space Station (ISS), and the second Indian in space since Rakesh Sharma's 1984 mission. The Ax-4 mission generated a lot of excitement in the country, but was not merely inspirational. It was also invaluable for India's aspirations as India gained real human spaceflight experience, validated crucial experiments in space, strengthened global partnerships and advanced commercial space collaboration. While at ISS, Shukla and the astronauts worked on 60 experiments, seven of which were proposed by India and ISRO. What makes the ISS a unique space lab? ISS is placed at 400 km, low-Earth orbit, so its proximity to Earth makes it habitable as crews and supplies can be easily ferried. It is an ideal space laboratory as it operates in 'microgravity' and comprises trained astronauts — this enables research not possible on Earth. It helps simulate deeper space conditions, without going that far. Pictures of astronauts floating around in space wrongly suggest there is no gravity on the ISS. At this altitude, the Earth's gravity decreases but still exists, by about 10 per cent of that of Earth's. 'Microgravity' conditions are achieved because the astronauts and everything within ISS travel with the space station at the same speed, leading to a 'free fall'. It's like falling in an elevator if the cables snap — you and the elevator are falling together and accelerating downward at the same rate, so you feel weightless. Experiments in microgravity yield important results as the effects of gravity are removed so one can see the effects of other forces that are hard to reveal on Earth. Matter behaves differently than on Earth. For example, fluids do not display buoyancy (floating) and sedimentation. Microgravity research spans several fields, including the study of fluids, materials science, combustion, biology — the lack of gravity and change in fluid behaviour affect cell growth, gene expression, and plant development. Human physiology and how the body adapts to microgravity, and possible solutions are also studied. Notably, India has contributed to seven out of the 60 microgravity experiments on Axiom-4. The results will contribute to long-term space exploration. Additionally, the Indian human-crewed mission Gaganyaan may also take these experiments forward. The Indian experiments included studying the effects of space exposure on microalgae and cyanobacteria, which are being explored as sustainable food sources in long-duration missions, while germination and the genetic yield of crops like moong, fenugreek and seven other seed types will be evaluated to understand the effects of space exposure on plants. Studying the behaviour of tardigrades, tiny microorganisms that can withstand extreme conditions on Earth, will help understand extreme resilience in space. Metabolic supplements to combat muscle atrophy have been studied for astronaut health and can also suggest therapies for Earth-based muscle deterioration, such as osteoporosis. Interestingly, one of the experiments involved cognitive performance in space. Studying how microgravity affects gaze, eye movement and stress when astronauts use screens in space may influence ergonomic spacecraft systems designs, reducing stress for future crews. Shukla carried back experiment samples to Earth where scientists will further explore the effects of space exposure. He also participated in outreach and connected to students in his own school in Lucknow. Notably, Shukla found a favourite perch on an ISS cupola and talked about the beautiful view of Earth from space. This kind of interaction can really inspire the next generation. What does this very successful and widely followed mission mean for India's space aspirations? India has lofty plans for space exploration. The Gaganyaan Mission, slated for 2027 plans to send a manned mission to the Low-Earth Orbit (LEO) of 400 km with a crew of three members and bring them back to Earth. As announced by the Prime Minister, India's own space station, Bharatiya Antariksh Station is also planned for 2035. Shukla and his backup Group Captain Prasanth Balakrishnan Nair, both selected as astronauts for Gaganyaan, have now completed astronaut training. Shukla, as the mission pilot, has gained hands-on experience in spacecraft navigation, docking and crew coordination aboard the ISS. His insights can help refine mission planning for Gaganyaan. ISS operations will also serve as a template for India's space station plans. The experience gained will suggest strategies for future Moon and deep space exploration missions. The Axiom-4 mission, a multinational collaboration between NASA, Axiom Space, Space-X, European Space Agency and ISRO, reinforced India-US-Europe relations in the space sector, opening doors for future joint missions and collaborations. 'As space becomes a key arena for commercial and scientific efforts,' said Matt Ondler, president of Axiom Space, 'India, with its rich history in space exploration and clear leadership in technology and entrepreneurship, will be crucial in shaping the domain and advancing humanity's presence in space.' The Ax-4 mission was not merely symbolic, it was a strategic launchpad for India's continued success in space. The writer is co-founder, STEM & Space
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Business Standard
a day ago
- Science
- Business Standard
Cabinet congratulates Shubhanshu Shukla on historic ISS mission
The Union Cabinet passed a resolution congratulating Group Captain Shubhanshu Shukla for successfully completing his landmark 18-day mission aboard the International Space Station (ISS). The Axiom-4 mission was launched on June 25, with Shukla as the mission pilot. He became the first Indian to travel to the ISS and only the second Indian in space, following Rakesh Sharma's mission in April 1984 aboard a Soviet spacecraft. "Group Captain Shubhanshu Shukla's mission is not just a personal triumph – it is a beacon of inspiration for a new generation of young Indians. It will ignite the scientific temper, fuel curiosity, and inspire countless youth to pursue careers in science and embrace innovation," the Cabinet noted. The Dragon Grace spacecraft lifted off from Florida on June 25 and docked with the ISS on June 26 after a 28-hour journey. Alongside commander Peggy Whitson and mission specialists Slawosz Uznanski-Wisniewski of Poland and Tibor Kapu of Hungary, Shukla spent 18 days conducting 60 scientific experiments and 20 outreach activities aboard the orbital platform. The Cabinet stated that the mission is a major milestone for India's ambitions in space exploration."It is a vital stepping stone towards India's own human spaceflight ambition, including the Gaganyaan and the Bharatiya Antariksha Station. It reaffirms India's resolve to be at the forefront of human space exploration," the resolution said. The Cabinet also praised the Indian Space Research Organisation (Isro) and the broader scientific community for their unwavering dedication in making this accomplishment possible. Axiom Space, currently developing a commercial space station, marked its fourth crewed mission with Ax-4. India is reported to have invested around ₹500 crore in the mission. Of the 60 experiments conducted, seven were developed by Indian institutions. SpaceX's Dragon capsule, carrying Shukla and his Ax-4 crewmates, splashed down after a return journey of just over 22 hours, landing at 3.02 pm IST on Tuesday.
Kuwait Times
2 days ago
- Science
- Kuwait Times
Astronauts on SpaceX capsule return to Earth
LUCKNOW: Axiom Mission 4 pilot Shubhanshu Shukla's parents Shambhu Dayal Shukla (center) and Asha Shukla (right) with his sister Shuchi Mishra celebrate after the successful splashdown of the SpaceX Dragon spacecraft as they watch a live stream of its return to Earth from the International Space Station, at his alma mater in Lucknow on July 15, 2025. -- AFP WASHINGTON: A SpaceX capsule carrying astronauts from India, Poland, Hungary and the United States splashed down off the California coast Tuesday, completing Axiom Mission 4 and capping 20 days in space. The Ax-4 crew undocked from the International Space Station at 7.15 am EST on Monday (1115 GMT) for a 22.5-hour journey, landing in the Pacific Ocean at around 5.31 am EST (0931 GMT) on Tuesday. The capsule performed its de-orbit burn before descending toward Earth, deploying drogue and main parachutes ahead of splashdown. 'Thanks for the great ride. ... happy to be back,' Commander Peggy Whitson, an Axiom employee and former NASA astronaut, said after the splashdown in the Pacific Ocean off San Diego. Also aboard were pilot Shubhanshu Shukla of India and mission specialists Slawosz Uznanski-Wisniewski of Poland and Tibor Kapu of Hungary. Axiom Space is a private company that organizes missions to the International Space Station, flying both wealthy individuals and, as in this case, astronauts sponsored by their governments. For the non-American trio, the mission marked a return to crewed spaceflight for their respective nations after decades-long absences. They launched from Kennedy Space Center on June 25 for what turned out to be a two-and-a-half-week mission, during which they conducted around 60 scientific experiments. For rising space power India, the flight served as a key stepping stone toward its first independent crewed mission, scheduled for 2027 under the Gaganyaan ('sky craft') program. Shukla held a video call with Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, in what was widely viewed as a significant soft power moment. He recounted sharing the sweet dish gajar ka halwa with his crewmates aboard the station. This will be only SpaceX's second crew recovery in the Pacific Ocean. The first occurred in April with the return of the Fram-2 mission. SpaceX has since shifted permanently to West Coast splashdowns, citing incidents where debris from Dragon's trunk survived atmospheric reentry and crashed back to Earth. – AFP
