This presentation celebrates the historic journey of Group Captain Shubhanshu Shukla, an Indian Air Force test pilot selected as one of the astronauts on Axiom Mission 4 (Ax-4)—India’s first human presence in space after 41 years. Discover Shukla’s inspiring background, his rigorous training in Russia and NASA, and how he is paving the way for India’s ambitious Gaganyaan mission. As the first Indian to visit the International Space Station (ISS), and the second Indian in space after Rakesh Sharma, Shukla’s flight marks a proud moment for the nation and its growing space capabilities. The presentation also includes key mission details, crew profiles, and Shukla’s powerful live message from orbit. Ideal for students, educators, defense enthusiasts, and anyone passionate about India’s space journey.

1. SPACE
I N D I A B A C K
I N
Kritika Chauhan
F T E R 4 1 Y E A R S !

2. GROUP CAPTAIN SHUBHANSHU SHUKLA’S HISTORIC
MISSION TO THE ISS
2025 | Axiom Mission 4 (Ax-4) A Proud Moment for Bharat
Kritika Chauhan

3. WHO IS GROUP CAPTAIN
SHUBHANSHU SHUKLA?
Born on 10 October 1985 in Lucknow, Uttar Pradesh
Commissioned into the Indian Air Force (IAF) in 2006
Rank: Group Captain (promoted in March 2024)
A highly decorated test pilot with over 2,000 hours of flying
experience
Fluent in Hindi & English, and trained to fly Su-30 MKI, MiG-29,
MiG-21, Jaguar, Hawk & more.

4. THE MISSION –
AXIOM MISSION 4
(AX-4)
A 14-day scientific mission to the
International Space Station (ISS)
Launch Vehicle: SpaceX Crew Dragon
Objective: Human research & scientific
experiments in Low Earth Orbit
Commander Peggy Whitson (USA), Pilot Shubhanshu Shukla (India)
Mission Specialist Sławosz Uznański-Wiśniewski (Poland), Mission Specialist
Tibor Kapu (Hungary)
CREW MEMBER

5. SHUKLA’S SPACE JOURNEY
This is not a personal accomplishment, but a
collective achievement of our nation.
Selected in 2019 by ISRO for the Gaganyaan program
Trained at the Yuri Gagarin Cosmonaut Training
Center in Moscow
Received additional training from ISRO & NASA
Became the first Indian astronaut in 41 years to go to
space.

6. 1
HISTORIC SIGNIFICANCE
FOR INDIA
Second Indian in space, after Wing
Commander Rakesh Sharma (1984)
First Indian to visit the ISS
A proud moment for Indian defense,
space science & youth
Marks India's return to human
spaceflight after 4 decades
Inspiration for the Gaganyaan crewed
mission scheduled for 2025

7. FROM LUCKNOW TO THE
COSMOS
A s o n o f U t t a r P r a d e s h ,
r e p r e s e n t i n g I n d i a o n a g l o b a l
p l a t f o r m
E m b o d i e s t h e d r e a m s o f m i l l i o n s
o f I n d i a n s
B r i n g s I n d i a b a c k o n t h e g l o b a l
m a p o f h u m a n s p a c e e x p l o r a t i o n
A l i v i n g i n s p i r a t i o n t o a s p i r i n g
p i l o t s , s c i e n t i s t s & s p a c e
e n t h u s i a s t s
2

8. GAGANYAAN & THE FUTURE OF INDIAN
SPACEFLIGHT
Gaganyaan = India's first
independent crewed mission
(launch expected in 2025)
Shukla’s Ax-4 experience will help
shape Gaganyaan’s success
Collaboration between ISRO,
DRDO, IAF, and global space
agencies
A leap toward India’s long-term
manned missions to space &
beyond

9. WORDS THAT MOVED A NATION
Proud to represent India. This mission is a tribute to every scientist, engineer,
and citizen who believed we could reach for the stars again.

10. “INDIA IS NOT BEHIND IN SPACE. WE
ARE BACK, BOLDER AND STRONGER.”
GROUP CAPTAIN SHUBHANSHU
SHUKLA'S JOURNEY IS A SYMBOL OF
INDIAN EXCELLENCE, RESILIENCE, AND
AMBITION.
A SALUTE TO OUR ARMED FORCES,
SCIENTISTS, AND SPACE EXPLORERS.

11. THANK
YOU