Shubhanshu Shukla: ISS lessons will strengthen Gaganyaan, inspire young Indians to dream of space

New Delhi, August 21. Group Captain Shubhanshu Shukla, who became the first Indian to travel to the International Space Station (ISS) as part of the Axiom-4 mission, said his experience aboard the orbital laboratory would provide crucial insights for India’s upcoming human spaceflight programme, Gaganyaan.

Sharing his journey as pilot of the Crew Dragon spacecraft, Shukla described the mission as “extremely successful” and stressed that its lessons extended far beyond what training manuals could capture.

“These will be critical as India prepares for Gaganyaan and beyond,” he said, while urging young Indians to dream of space and believe that they, too, could one day become astronauts.

At a press conference hosted by the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO), Shukla recalled how months of training with international space agencies prepared him for the mission, but said the true experience of microgravity could only be learned in orbit. He highlighted both the physical challenges of spaceflight and the collaborative scientific work aboard the ISS, adding that the most rewarding part of the mission was interacting with schoolchildren from space.

“For me, the biggest win was that kids are already dreaming of space. The good news is that ISRO and India are ready to make these dreams a reality,” he said.

Introducing Shukla and fellow astronaut Group Captain Prasanth B. Nair to the nation, Union Minister of State for Science and Technology Dr. Jitendra Singh hailed their achievements as proof of Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s vision of Atmanirbhar (self-reliant) and Vishwabandhu (global partner) Bharat. He underlined that the mission embodied three of Modi’s long-standing guiding principles: indigenous technology, whole-of-nation collaboration, and contributions to humanity at large. Singh said the astronauts’ training and participation in international missions were invaluable preparations for India’s first crewed mission under the Gaganyaan programme.

Group Captain Prasanth B. Nair, who trained alongside Shukla for Axiom-4, said the mission underscored India’s growing stature in the global space community. He noted that abroad, India’s achievements were often met with surprise and admiration, highlighting the nation’s ability to make rapid strides with humility and inclusivity.

ISRO Chairman V Narayanan used the occasion to outline India’s Human Space Flight Programme, briefing the media on preparations for Gaganyaan and other forthcoming missions. He said the astronauts’ introduction marked a milestone in India’s emergence as a key player in future human space exploration.

The event was not only a celebration of India’s expanding presence in space but also a signal of intent: to inspire the next generation of scientists and astronauts, strengthen indigenous capabilities, and position India as a global partner in humanity’s journey beyond Earth.