An Indian Star in the Sky

An Indian Star in the Sky

Imagine looking up at the twinkling stars and dreaming of touching them. For Group Captain Shubhanshu Shukla, an Indian Air Force pilot, that dream is about to come true! In May 2025, Shubhanshu will blast off into space, becoming the first Indian to visit the International Space Station (ISS) and the second Indian astronaut to soar beyond Earth, following the legendary Rakesh Sharma in 1984. This is a story of courage, pride, and the wonders of space that inspire us all to reach for the stars.

A Hero’s Journey Begins

Shubhanshu Shukla, born in Lucknow, India, grew up with big dreams. As a young boy, he loved watching planes zoom across the sky. His nickname, “Gunjan,” meaning “humming,” suited him perfectly because his passion for flying was like a song that never stopped. He joined the Indian Air Force in 2006, becoming a fearless fighter pilot who flew planes like the Su-30MKI and MIG-21. His skills as a test pilot, someone who tests new planes to make sure they’re safe, made him a star on Earth. But the sky wasn’t his limit—space was calling

In 2019, the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) chose Shubhanshu for its Human Spaceflight Programme. He trained hard, learning how to handle the challenges of space, like floating in zero gravity and staying calm in emergencies. For the past eight months, he’s been training with NASA and Axiom Space in the United States, tasting special space food and preparing for his big adventure. In a recent video shared by Axiom Space, Shubhanshu smiled as he tried different meals, saying, “We give scores to the food, and the best ones get packed for the ISS!” His excitement makes us feel like we’re right there with him, ready to explore the stars.

Following in Giant Footsteps: Rakesh Sharma’s Legacy

Forty years ago, another Indian hero, Rakesh Sharma, made history. In 1984, he became the first Indian to travel to space aboard a Soviet Soyuz spacecraft. Back then, space travel was rare, and India was just beginning to dream big. When asked Rakesh, “How does India look from space?” he replied with a line from a famous poem, “Saare Jahaan Se Accha,” meaning “Better than the entire world.” His words filled every Indian with pride, showing the world that India could shine among the stars.

Rakesh spent eight days in space, conducting experiments and taking pictures of Earth. He helped scientists understand how the human body behaves in space and studied Earth’s atmosphere. His mission proved that Indians could achieve anything, inspiring young dreamers like Shubhanshu. Rakesh even helped choose Shubhanshu for this new mission, passing the torch to the next generation.

The Axiom-4 Mission: A New Chapter

Shubhanshu’s journey is part of Axiom Mission 4 (Ax-4), a special trip organized by Axiom Space, a company that works with NASA. He’ll fly on a SpaceX Dragon spacecraft, a sleek, modern spaceship, from NASA’s Kennedy Space Center in Florida. The mission is led by Peggy Whitson, a former NASA astronaut who’s been to space many times. Shubhanshu will be the pilot, helping guide the spacecraft, while two other astronauts from Poland and Hungary join as mission specialists. Together, they’ll spend 14 days on the ISS, a giant space laboratory that orbits Earth.

The ISS is like a floating science lab where astronauts from all over the world work together. It’s as big as a football field and has rooms for experiments, sleeping, and even exercising in zero gravity! Shubhanshu will conduct science experiments, like studying how plants grow in space or how materials behave without gravity. He also plans to bring Indian culture to the stars by carrying artifacts from different parts of India and performing yoga poses in space. “This is the journey of 1.4 billion people,” he said, reminding us that he’s carrying India’s heart with him.

Why Space Matters to All of Us

Space exploration isn’t just about flying to the stars—it’s about discovering new things that help everyone on Earth. When Rakesh Sharma went to space, his experiments helped scientists learn about Earth’s weather and resources. Today, the ISS helps us understand how to grow food in tough places, create new medicines, and even prepare for future missions to the Moon and Mars. Shubhanshu’s work will add to this knowledge, helping India and the world build a better future.

For kids, space is a playground of possibilities. Imagine inventing a new spaceship, designing a space garden, or discovering a new planet! Shubhanshu’s mission shows that no dream is too big. His training for the Gaganyaan mission, India’s first human spaceflight program, means he’s helping India build its own path to the stars. Gaganyaan will send Indian astronauts to orbit Earth, and Shubhanshu’s experience on the ISS will make that dream stronger.

Stories That Spark Pride

Shubhanshu’s story reminds us of other Indian space heroes, like Sunita Williams, an Indian-origin NASA astronaut. In 2024, she spent over nine months on the ISS, looking down at India’s Himalayas and vibrant cities. She said India looked “amazing” from space, filling us with pride. Sunita’s journey, like Shubhanshu’s, shows that Indian roots can bloom anywhere—even among the stars.

Another inspiring tale comes from Kalpana Chawla, the first Indian woman in space. In 1997 and 2003, she flew on NASA’s Space shuttle, conducting experiments that helped us understand Earth and space. Kalpana’s courage and love for science inspire kids to chase their dreams, no matter how far away they seem.

What Shubhanshu’s Mission Means for Mankind

Shubhanshu’s trip to the ISS is more than a flight—it’s a symbol of hope and teamwork. Countries like India, the United States, Poland, and Hungary are working together, showing that we can achieve great things when we unite. His experiments could lead to new discoveries, like better ways to grow food or protect our planet. Plus, his journey inspires kids everywhere to study science, math, and engineering, because those skills can take you to the stars

For India, this mission is a giant leap. It’s been 40 years since Rakesh Sharma’s flight, and now Shubhanshu is writing a new chapter. His work will help India’s Gaganyaan mission, set to launch in the coming years, making India one of the few countries that can send its own astronauts to space. This fills every Indian with pride, knowing our country is soaring higher than ever.

A Message to Young Dreamers

Shubhanshu Shukla’s story is a reminder that you don’t need wings to fly—just courage, hard work, and a big dream. Whether you want to be an astronaut, a scientist, or something else, every step you take brings you closer to your goal. Look up at the stars tonight and imagine yourself among them. As Shubhanshu prepares to carry India’s flag to the ISS, he’s showing the world that anything is possible.

So, let’s cheer for Shubhanshu as he blasts off in May 2025! His journey is proof that dreams can take you to the stars, and India’s pride will shine brighter than ever. Who knows? Maybe one day, you could be the next Indian astronaut, writing your own story in the sky!

Dear parents, teachers, and friends,

The stars are calling, and Group Captain Shubhanshu Shukla is answering! His incredible journey to the International Space Station in May 2025 is more than a mission—it’s a hope and inspiration for young dreamers everywhere. As Shubhanshu prepares to carry India’s pride to the stars, we have a chance to ignite the imaginations of children and show them that no dream is too big.

Please share this article with the kids in your life—your children, students, nieces, nephews, or friends’ kids. Let them read about Shubhanshu’s courage, Rakesh Sharma’s historic flight, and the wonders of space exploration. Talk to them about how science, hard work, and big dreams can take them anywhere, even to the stars. Encourage them to draw a spaceship, write a story about an astronaut, or ask questions about the universe. Who knows? Your small act of sharing could inspire the next astronaut, scientist, or inventor!

Let’s come-together to fill young hearts with pride and possibility. Share this story today, and watch their eyes light up with dreams as bright as the stars!