Shubhanshu Shukla from Lucknow Scripts Space History, Entire City Erupts in Celebration

National News: India's space journey is going to take a new turn once again. The dream that was growing in the eyes of 140 crore Indians for years is now very close to becoming a reality. Group Captain Shubhanshu Shukla of the Indian Air Force is set to embark on a historic journey to the International Space Station (ISS) today at 5:30 pm (IST). This moment will be full of pride and glory not only for his family but for the whole of India.

An Indian will reach ISS for the first time

This will be the first time that an Indian astronaut will reach a modern space station like the ISS. Shubhanshu is playing the role of a pilot in this historic mission. Back in 1984, Wing Commander Rakesh Sharma became the first Indian to enter space as part of a Soviet Union mission. But this journey of Shubhanshu is being considered as a litmus test of India's scientific capability at the global level.

Axiom-4: Mission of India's hopes

Under the Axiom-4 mission, a four-member team will take off from Kennedy Space Center in Florida. They will be accompanied by American astronaut and mission commander Peggy Whitson, Poland's Slavosz Uznanski, and Hungary's Tibor Kapu. This mission was postponed several times earlier due to weather and technical reasons, but now everything is ready for launch.

14 Days in Space, Connecting with the World Beyond

In this mission, the crew will stay in the ISS for 14 days and conduct many experiments related to space science, human life, education, and communication. It is expected that during this time Prime Minister Narendra Modi can also contact the team. Interaction with school students and ISRO scientists is also a part of this mission, which will become a source of inspiration.

Strong stop on the path of Gaganyaan

Shubhanshu Shukla has already been selected for India’s ambitious Gaganyaan mission. This mission will give them practical experience, training for emergencies in space, and valuable understanding for future flights. ISRO is spending about Rs 550 crore on this mission, which is an important part of the preparation for Gaganyaan.

Son of Lucknow, Pride of the country

Born on October 10, 1985, in Lucknow, Shubhanshu Shukla completed his schooling at City Montessori School and later earned an M.Tech in Aerospace Engineering from IISc Bangalore. He is counted among the most experienced pilots of the Indian Air Force. He has more than 2000 hours of experience flying Sukhoi, MiG, Jaguar, and other aircraft.

Festive atmosphere in Lucknow

There is a festive atmosphere in Lucknow regarding Shubhshu's historic flight. His school has arranged big screens to watch the live launch. Congratulatory hoardings are visible on every street, every intersection. His mother and sister said, "Our son has become a hero not only to us, but to the whole of India."

This flight of Shubhshu Shukla is a new dawn of India's space ambitions. This is not just a mission but a shared dream of 140 crore heartbeats—a dream that is becoming a reality today.