Group Captain Subhanshu Shukla is set to become the second Indian to journey into space, following the historic flight of Rakesh Sharma in 1984.
The Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) has named Shukla as the ‘prime’ astronaut for the upcoming Axiom-4 mission to the International Space Station (ISS), slated for launch sometime after October this year.
ISRO has confirmed the selection of Shukla, 39, and Group Captain Prasanth Balakrishnan Nair, 48, for the mission during a press conference on Friday.
Shukla’s designation as the 'prime' astronaut signifies that he will be the one to travel to the ISS, while Nair will serve as the backup, ready to step in should Shukla be unable to make the journey for any reason.
Rakesh Sharma, a wing commander in the Indian Air Force (IAF), remains the only Indian to have flown in space, having made his journey aboard a Soviet spacecraft nearly four decades ago.
Shukla and Nair are part of a select group of four IAF officers chosen for India’s inaugural manned space mission, Gaganyaan, which is now tentatively scheduled for next year.
An ISRO official indicated that the two astronauts will undergo mission-specific training over the next eight weeks in preparation for the Axiom-4 mission.
The Axiom-4 mission marks the fourth collaborative endeavour between Axiom Space, a private space company, and NASA. The spacecraft is expected to be launched using a SpaceX rocket, with Shukla, Nair, and three other astronauts from Poland, Hungary, and the United States travelling to the ISS.
This mission signifies a pivotal moment in India’s space exploration efforts, stemming from an agreement between New Delhi and Washington during Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s visit to the United States last year.
The Axiom-4 spacecraft will remain docked with the ISS for a duration of 14 days, during which time it will transport not only the astronauts but also essential cargo and supplies to the space station.
While the exact launch date has not yet been finalised, NASA’s website indicates that the mission is scheduled for no earlier than October 2024. However, Poland’s space agency, POLSA, has suggested that the launch may be delayed until next year.
Hailing from Lucknow, Uttar Pradesh, Shukla brings a wealth of experience to the mission. Commissioned into the IAF in 2006, he has accumulated over 2,000 hours of flight time, piloting various fighter jets, including the Sukhoi-30 MKIs, MiG-21s, MiG-29s, Jaguars, Hawks, Dorniers, and AN-32 aircraft. His selection underscores the importance of experienced pilots in the demanding realm of space travel.
Nair, who was commissioned into the IAF in 1998, has been recognised with the Sword of Honour at the Air Force Academy. A category A flying instructor and test pilot, he boasts more than 3,000 hours of flying experience.
An alumnus of the United States Staff College, he has commanded the Sukhoi-30 squadron and is well-regarded in aviation circles.
The Gaganyaan mission, which is integral to India’s aspirations in human spaceflight, will benefit from the insights gained by Shukla and Nair during the Axiom-4 mission.
ISRO Chairman Somanath noted the significance of this Indo-US collaboration, highlighting its potential to enhance the Gaganyaan program.
“This partnership is mutually beneficial; training Indian astronauts in the US will provide critical insights that will help us design our Gaganyaan mission better,” Somanath stated in 2023.
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