India Celebrates Shubhanshu Shukla's Historic Space Mission

Shubhanshu Shukla's Space Mission Inspires a Nation

New Delhi, July 16: The Cabinet expressed its enthusiasm for Shubhanshu Shukla’s recent space mission, emphasizing its role in motivating the nation towards achieving a developed India by 2047.

On June 26, IAF Group Captain Shukla made history as the first Indian to reach the International Space Station (ISS) and successfully returned to Earth on Tuesday.

In a Cabinet Communique, officials stated, “The Cabinet joins the nation in celebrating Group Captain Shukla’s safe return after his remarkable 18-day mission aboard the ISS.”

“This achievement will spark scientific interest, inspire youth to explore careers in science, and promote innovation,” the statement added.

The Cabinet reiterated its belief that this mission would invigorate the national ambition of building a developed India by 2047, as envisioned by the Prime Minister.

Shukla was part of the Axiom Space mission 4 and returned alongside astronauts from the US, Poland, and Hungary aboard SpaceX’s Dragon spacecraft named "Grace".

He is also recognized as the youngest astronaut-designate for India’s Gaganyaan mission, which aims to be the country’s first human spaceflight initiative.

His experiences and experiments conducted on the ISS are anticipated to play a crucial role in the upcoming Gaganyaan mission, scheduled for 2027.

Chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, the Cabinet remarked that Shukla’s journey symbolizes India’s limitless aspirations, marking a proud moment for the nation.

“This marks a new era in India’s space endeavors and offers a promising outlook for future missions,” the Cabinet noted.

The Cabinet also commended ISRO and the dedicated scientists and engineers who contributed to the success of Shukla’s mission.

During his ISS tenure, Group Captain Shukla collaborated effectively with the Axiom-4 Crew and Expedition 73, showcasing India’s growing influence in international space collaboration.

He conducted groundbreaking experiments in microgravity, focusing on areas such as muscle regeneration, algal and microbial growth, crop viability, and cognitive performance in space.

“These investigations will enhance global knowledge of human spaceflight and microgravity science, providing essential insights for India’s future missions,” the Cabinet stated.

“This successful mission significantly boosts India’s international standing in space exploration and is a crucial step towards realizing India’s human spaceflight goals, including Gaganyaan and the Bharatiya Antariksha Station,” it added.

The Cabinet also recognized other significant milestones in the space sector, such as the successful landing of Chandrayaan-3 near the Moon's South Pole in August 2023 and the launch of the Aditya-L1 Mission.

“Through ongoing reforms in the space sector, the Government has catalyzed unprecedented growth in India’s space economy, leading to the emergence of around 300 new start-ups, which have created numerous jobs and fostered a vibrant ecosystem of innovation and technology-driven development,” the Cabinet concluded.