Group Captain Shubhanshu Shukla has been chosen to pilot an upcoming Indo-US mission to the International Space Station (ISS), announced the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO). This mission, under the Axiom-4 project, is a collaboration between ISRO and Axiom Space Inc., USA, and includes extensive international cooperation.
Born on October 10, 1985, in Lucknow, Uttar Pradesh, Group Captain Shukla is a distinguished alumnus of the National Defence Academy and was commissioned into the fighter stream of the Indian Air Force on June 17, 2006. With approximately 2,000 hours of flying experience in various aircraft including Su-30 MKI, MiG-21, MiG-29, and others, he brings a vast array of expertise to this mission.
Group Captain Prasanth Balakrishnan Nair, another accomplished pilot, has been selected as the backup pilot for the mission. Group Captain Nair, a recipient of the Sword of Honour at the Air Force Academy, boasts about 3,000 hours of flying experience and has commanded a premier fighter Su-30 squadron.
The selection process was conducted by the National Mission Assignment Board, and the final approval for the crew members will be granted by the Multilateral Crew Operations Panel (MCOP). The designated crew will begin their training in the first week of August 2024, focusing on specific scientific research and technological demonstrations aboard the ISS, alongside engaging in space outreach activities.
The collaboration is part of a joint vision by ISRO and NASA, reinforced by a joint statement during Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s state visit to the USA in June 2023. This mission not only aims to enhance the capabilities within the Indian Human Space Programme but also to foster stronger ties in human spaceflight cooperation between India and the United States.
The experiences and outcomes of this mission are expected to bring significant benefits to the field of space exploration and strengthen international partnerships in outer space endeavors.
