Astronaut Shubhanshu Shukla reflects on historic ISS journey, "it was entire nation’s mission"

New Delhi: Group Captain Shubhanshu Shukla, India’s first astronaut to visit the International Space Station (ISS) as part of NASA’s Axiom-4 mission, described his space journey as a mission that belonged to the entire nation.

Speaking at a joint press briefing with ISRO Chairman Dr. V. Narayanan, Shukla said the experience in orbit was unlike anything he had prepared for during training on Earth.

“It was entire nation's mission. The experience is very different from what you learn on ground. It was an unbelievable experience,” he said, expressing gratitude to the Indian government, ISRO, and researchers for making the achievement possible.

Detailing his mission, Shukla acknowledged the difficulties of space travel, particularly in the early days aboard the ISS. “Grateful for people's support. The first few days in space were tough. Re-adjusting to gravity was a challenge,” he noted.

Dr. Narayanan highlighted India’s rapid strides in space exploration over the past decade, pointing out that ISRO has nearly doubled the number of missions accomplished between 2015 and 2025 compared to the previous decade.

“In the last 10 years, the progress has been phenomenal and exponential. The missions completed from 2015 to 2025 are almost double those from 2005 to 2015. During the last 6 months, three important missions have been accomplished. The Axiom-4 mission is a prestigious mission. The first Indian was taken to the International Space Station and was brought back safely, Shubhanshu Shukla,” he said.

The ISRO chief also underscored achievements under Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s leadership, including the South Asian satellite project, the G20 satellite, and the rise of private space enterprises. “10 years ago, we had only one startup company in the space area. Today, we have more than 300 startups in the space industry. There are two suborbital missions done by private companies,” he added.

Following his return to Earth on July 15, Shukla met Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Defence Minister Rajnath Singh in Delhi. His safe return was hailed as a proud moment in India’s growing space ambitions.

Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla also celebrated Shukla’s milestone during a session on Monday, linking it to India’s vision of becoming a developed nation by 2047.

“On this occasion, the (lower) house welcomes Air Force Group Captain Shubhanshu Shukla to India. His space mission and successful return are not merely about the success of the mission, but a matter of pride and inspiration for Indian citizens. Shukla's achievement is an inspiration for the youth,” Birla said.

The Lok Sabha briefly discussed “India’s First Astronaut Aboard the International Space Station – Critical Role of Space Programme for Viksit Bharat by 2047,” underlining the broader importance of the achievement for the nation’s future.