Axiom-4 Mission: Do You Know About Astronaut Shubhanshu Shukla's Pune Connection? Read Here

With the successful launch of the Axiom-4 mission to the International Space Station, astronaut Shubhanshu Shukla’s name has reached every household in India.

The Axiom-4 mission, marking the return to space for India, Hungary and Poland, blasted off from the Kennedy Space Centre in Florida at 12:01 pm on Wednesday.

The astronauts will spend 14 days at the International Space Station conducting over 60 science experiments.

Shukla's Pune connection

Group Captain Shubhanshu Shukla is an Indian Air Force test pilot and ISRO astronaut.

Shukla, who serves in the Indian Air Force, is a native of Lucknow, Uttar Pradesh. He completed his schooling at City Montessori School, Aliganj. Inspired by the 1999 Kargil War, he independently applied for and cleared the UPSC NDA examination.

He completed his military training and earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Computer Science from the National Defence Academy in 2005 in Pune's Khadakwasla.

He was then selected for the flying branch and underwent training at the Indian Air Force Academy. In June 2006, he was commissioned into the Fighter stream of the Indian Air Force as a Flying Officer.

Proud parents

As the rocket pierced through Florida skies, Group Captain Shukla became only the second Indian history to travel to space after Rakesh Sharma in 1984 and the first Indian astronaut to travel to the International Space Station.

"It's a great moment not just for us but for our country. What can we say at this moment, I am struggling for words now. My blessings are always there with my son," his father Shambhu Shukla told PTI.

"I have nothing more to say at this moment. I am delighted," Shubhanshu's mother Asha Shukla said. "I know he will be successful. Though I am eagerly looking forward for him to return after a successful mission, I also know that even after returning back on earth, it will take a while before he actually gets to back amongst us," she told PTI.

The proud parents were there with many others at CMS Kanpur Road's World Unity Convention Centre (WUCC) auditorium to witness the launch live. Among those gathered were his his sisters, senior defence personnel, CMS faculty, the city's who's who and wide-eyed students.