New Delhi, June 25, 2025 — In a historic moment for India and its space ambitions, Shubhanshu Shukla has become the first Indian in four decades to travel to space, marking a proud milestone in the country’s journey toward advanced space exploration and global collaboration.
Shukla, a scientist-turned-astronaut, was part of an international crew aboard a private spaceflight organized in collaboration with NASA and a commercial spaceflight company. The mission successfully launched from Kennedy Space Center in Florida and spent several days in low Earth orbit, conducting scientific experiments and Earth observation tasks.
This momentous journey makes Shukla the first Indian to travel to space since Rakesh Sharma, who flew aboard a Soviet mission in 1984. His achievement reignites national interest in space travel and reaffirms India’s growing capabilities in space science and technology.
Speaking from orbit during a live feed, Shukla said, “This is not just my dream, but the dream of a billion Indians. I carry with me the hopes, prayers, and pride of our entire nation. Jai Hind!”
The 38-year-old hails from Lucknow, Uttar Pradesh, and has a background in aerospace engineering. Before his selection, he worked with the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) and later trained under an international astronaut development program. His dedication, academic excellence, and passion for space science earned him a spot on this prestigious mission.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi congratulated Shukla on social media, writing, “History has been made! Shubhanshu Shukla’s journey to space after 40 years is a testament to the spirit of New India. Our youth continue to achieve the impossible. Congratulations to him and to every Indian celebrating this proud moment!”
The mission, though not operated by ISRO, had the organization’s full support and involvement in preparatory scientific contributions. It also highlights the new era of international and public-private partnerships in space exploration, with India taking an increasingly central role.
Experts believe this milestone could serve as a catalyst for India’s future ambitions, including ISRO’s Gaganyaan mission, which aims to send Indian astronauts on an indigenous mission in the coming years.
Dr. S. Somanath, ISRO Chairman, commented, “Shukla’s flight is symbolic of India’s re-entry into human spaceflight after a long gap. It paves the way for the next generation of astronauts and reaffirms our place on the global space stage.”
Back home, celebrations erupted in educational institutions and science centers across the country. Social media was flooded with messages of admiration and inspiration, with many hailing Shukla as a modern-day hero.
As Shubhanshu Shukla continues his mission in space and prepares to return, one thing is certain — he has inspired a new generation of dreamers, scientists, and explorers. India’s space story has entered a bold new chapter, and the stars are just the beginning.
