'Just Hope He's Eating Well': Astronaut-Designate Shubhanshu Shukla's Family Prays For Space Mission

Last Updated:May 31, 2025, 12:46 IST

Shukla will fly to the International Space Station aboard the SpaceX Dragon capsule, launched by a Falcon 9 rocket from NASA’s Kennedy Space Center in Florida on June 8

(Left) Group Captain Shubhanshu Shukla's parents in Lucknow; (right) Group Captain Shubhanshu Shukla. (News18)

The family of Group Captain Shubhanshu Shukla, who is preparing for lift-off into space, is experiencing a whirlwind of emotions—pride, anxiety, and hope. News18 spoke to Shukla’s parents and elder sister in Lucknow and they discussed his childhood, dedication, and the deep emotional current running through their home ahead of his 14-day space mission to the International Space Station (ISS).

His mother, Asha Shukla, tears up while speaking about her son’s extraordinary journey. “I am proud, but also deeply anxious. He has always been calm and determined, but as a mother, I can’t stop worrying. He’s going so far, into space. Every day I pray for his safe return," she said. “He used to love maa ke haathon ka khana, especially the simple meals I cooked with love. It’s been years since he had that. I just hope he’s eating well."

His father, SD Shukla, a retired government employee, recalls his son’s early years. “He was never like the other kids—always focused, quiet, and deeply thoughtful. We didn’t even know when he applied for NDA. One day he came and told us he had cleared everything—written, SSB, medical. That’s how he has always been: silently determined."

Sibling Bond

Shukla’s elder sister, Shuchi Mishra, described their bond as a lifelong friendship filled with ups and downs. “We would fight over small things, but never stayed angry. He always had a larger-than-life dream and pursued it relentlessly. Even as a child, he stood apart—disciplined and driven. His presence always gave us strength. It’s strange to see him go so far away now. I feel both proud and emotional."

IAF Journey and Sacrifice

Shukla joined the Indian Air Force as a fighter pilot on June 17, 2006, after clearing the NDA exam. Over nearly two decades, he has logged over 2,000 flying hours on several frontline aircraft, including the Sukhoi-30 MKI, MiG-21, MiG-29, Jaguar, Hawk, Dornier, and An-32.

His father recalled one of the more difficult moments during his training phase. “He was posted on the MiG-21 at one point—a phase where we kept hearing news about crashes. He lost one of his close friends in a crash. We were worried sick, but we knew that he never looked back once he made a choice. We just prayed for his safety."

A Mission Beyond Borders

Shukla is currently under quarantine with his three fellow astronauts ahead of the launch. He has expressed complete confidence in the success of the mission. “This is a milestone for commercial spaceflight and international collaboration," he said during a pre-launch event hosted by Axiom Space.

He will fly to the ISS aboard the SpaceX Dragon capsule, launched by a Falcon 9 rocket from NASA’s Kennedy Space Center in Florida. The scheduled launch date is June 8.

About the Axiom-4 Mission

Axiom-4 (Ax-4) is a landmark mission in the evolution of commercial spaceflight. Organised jointly by NASA and private space company Axiom Space, this mission aims to deepen international cooperation in low-Earth orbit and push forward the agenda of building the world’s first commercial space station—Axiom Station.

The crew includes astronauts from four countries: India, the United States, Poland, and Hungary. Representing India is Group Captain Shukla; from the US is veteran astronaut Peggy Whitson; Poland is represented by Slawosz Uznanski, who will become the second Polish astronaut in space after 1978; and Hungary’s Tibor Kapu will be its second astronaut after 1980.

The Axiom-4 mission will dock with the ISS for 14 days, during which the crew will carry out a diverse range of tasks. The mission’s primary objective is to advance scientific research in microgravity across multiple disciplines, including biology, physics, and materials science. The astronauts will also evaluate new technologies designed for deep-space travel and long-duration space habitation. In addition, the team will focus on fostering international scientific collaboration by working with institutions from around the world. Educational outreach programmes are also planned, with the aim of inspiring the next generation of scientists, technologists, and space enthusiasts.

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