Suspense crime, Digital Desk : India is poised to make a significant leap in human spaceflight as Indian Air Force (IAF) Group Captain Shubhanshu Shukla has been chosen to travel to the International Space Station (ISS). This landmark journey, a result of a strategic collaboration between the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) and the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA), will mark the first time an Indian astronaut has gone to space in four decades.

The mission, facilitated by the private spaceflight company Axiom Space, is tentatively scheduled for late 2024 or early 2025. Group Captain Shukla will embark on a short-duration mission to the orbiting laboratory, where he will join a crew of international astronauts.

Who is Shubhanshu Shukla?

Group Captain Shubhanshu Shukla is a distinguished fighter pilot and an accomplished test pilot with the Indian Air Force. Born in Lucknow, Uttar Pradesh, he is an alumnus of the National Defence Academy (NDA) and is renowned for his exceptional flying skills, having logged approximately 2,000 hours of flight time on a variety of aircraft.

His credentials made him a prime candidate for India’s ambitious space aspirations. He was one of the four decorated IAF test pilots selected for the nation’s first indigenous human spaceflight mission, Gaganyaan. The other three astronauts chosen for the Gaganyaan program are Group Captain Prasanth Balakrishnan Nair, Group Captain Ajit Krishnan, and Wing Commander Angad Pratap.

A Historic Step for India

This mission to the ISS is a monumental event for India. Shukla will become only the second Indian citizen to venture into space, following in the historic footsteps of Wing Commander Rakesh Sharma, who flew aboard a Soviet Soyuz mission back in 1984. This upcoming flight not only ends a 40-year wait but also provides invaluable experience for India’s own Gaganyaan mission.

The opportunity for Shukla to train and fly with NASA and Axiom Space will provide crucial insights into living and working in a microgravity environment. This hands-on experience aboard the ISS is expected to be instrumental in preparing for the complexities of India’s future crewed missions, solidifying a new and exciting chapter in the nation’s journey to the stars.

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