Earlier this year in a landmark announcement, the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) selected its astronaut-designates for the upcoming Indo-US mission to the International Space Station (ISS). Group Captain Shubhanshu Shukla, a seasoned Indian Air Force (IAF) officer, has been named the prime astronaut, while Group Captain Prashanth Balakrishnan Nair will serve as the backup. Both officers are set to represent India in the Axiom Mission-4, which marks a significant step in India’s growing space ambitions.
The mission, earlier scheduled for October 2024, will now take off next year and is part of a collaboration between ISRO, NASA, and Axiom Space, a US-based space infrastructure company. Shukla and Nair’s roles are pivotal, as Shukla will be the primary pilot for the mission, with Nair acting as the backup. The mission will be launched aboard a SpaceX Crew Dragon spacecraft, supported by a Falcon 9 rocket, from Kennedy Space Centre in Florida. The flight will last approximately 14 days, and the astronauts will conduct various experiments and tasks aboard the ISS.
About Shukla
Shubhanshu Shukla, born on October 10, 1985, in Lucknow, Uttar Pradesh, brings extensive experience to the mission. A fighter combat leader and test pilot, Shukla has accumulated nearly 2,000 hours of flying time on various aircraft, including the Sukhoi-30MKI, MiG-21, and MiG-29. An alumnus of the National Defence Academy, Shukla was inspired by the heroism of the Kargil War to join the armed forces. At 39, he is the youngest Indian astronaut to be designated for a space mission.
The Axiom Mission-4 follows the success of previous Axiom missions (Axiom-1, 2, and 3) and represents a significant step in private space exploration. It also underscores the growing international cooperation in space exploration, with ISRO working alongside Axiom Space and NASA to expand humanity’s presence in space.
Meanwhile, Prashanth Balakrishnan Nair, born in Kerala in 1976, is no less accomplished. A recipient of the Sword of Honour at the Air Force Academy, Nair has over 3,000 flying hours and holds the prestigious position of a flying instructor. His experience and expertise make him a strong candidate for the backup role in this high-profile mission.