Shubhanshu Shukla (Astronaut) Biography – Age, Family,

Shubhanshu Shukla is a Group Captain in the Indian Air Force (IAF) and an astronaut with ISRO, best known for being the first Indian to visit the International Space Station (ISS) in 2025. Born on October 10, 1985, in Lucknow, Uttar Pradesh, he made history as part of Axiom Mission 4, carrying out crucial space research and representing India on the global stage.

Wiki/Bio Details

Full Name Shubhanshu Shukla
Profession IAF Group Captain, ISRO Astronaut
Date of Birth October 10, 1985
Age (as of 2025) 39 years
Hometown Lucknow, Uttar Pradesh, India
Nationality Indian
Marital Status Married to Kamna Shubha Shukla
Children 1 son – Kiyas (born 2020)
Known For First Indian astronaut to visit the ISS

Early Life and Family Background

Shubhanshu Shukla was born in Lucknow to Shambhu Dayal Shukla, a retired government officer, and Asha Shukla, a homemaker. He is the youngest among three siblings, with sisters Nidhi Shukla (MBA) and Shuchi Mishra (a teacher).

Raised in Triveni Nagar, his childhood was filled with books and curiosity. The Kargil War deeply inspired him and sparked his dream of joining the armed forces.

Personal Life

Shubhanshu is married to Kamna Shubha Shukla, a dentist from Lucknow, since 2009. Their son Kiyas was born in 2020.

Education Journey

Shubhanshu studied at City Montessori School, Aliganj, and passed Class 12 in 2001. He entered the National Defence Academy (NDA) in 2002 after clearing the exam—surprisingly filled out by a friend without informing his family.

This unexpected leap became the foundation for his aerospace journey.

Career in Indian Air Force

Shubhanshu was commissioned into the IAF on June 17, 2006, as a fighter pilot (Service No. 29014). Over time, he flew Su-30 MKI, MiG-29, Jaguar, MiG-21, Hawk, Dornier, and An-32 aircraft. (Source)

He served with distinction during critical missions like the 2019 Balakot airstrike and was promoted to Wing Commander in 2019, and later to Group Captain.

Career Highlights

Milestone Details
IAF Commissioning June 17, 2006
Promotion to Wing Commander June 17, 2019
Astronaut Training Russia (2020–2021) at Gagarin Center
Gaganyaan Selection 2019
ISS Launch June 25, 2025 (Axiom Mission 4)
Public Engagement Ham radio with ISRO, July 4, 2025

ISRO Astronaut and Gaganyaan Mission

In 2019, he was shortlisted by ISRO for the Gaganyaan program. He trained in Star City, Russia, at the Yuri Gagarin Cosmonaut Training Center from Feb 2020 to Mar 2021.

He was one of the four astronauts formally announced by PM Narendra Modi on Feb 27, 2024, alongside Ajit Krishnan, Angad Prathap, and Prashanth Nair.

Historic ISS Visit – Axiom Mission 4 (Ax-4)

On June 25, 2025, Shubhanshu became the first Indian to reach the ISS aboard Axiom Mission 4, conducted with support from NASA, SpaceX, and ISRO.

During this 14-day mission, he served as Mission Pilot, participating in crucial life sciences experiments, including research on skeletal muscle degradation.

He greeted Indians in Hindi upon arrival at the ISS, becoming a symbol of cultural pride in space.

ISS Seat Cost Approx ₹500 crore (sponsored by Govt of India)

Health and Life on the ISS

Reports on June 28, 2025, mentioned that he experienced dizziness, a common space adaptation syndrome. However, ISRO confirmed he remained in good health and high spirits.

He also interacted with students and ISRO scientists on July 4, 2025, via ham radio, sharing his experiences and inspiring the next generation of space enthusiasts.

Best Works of Shubhanshu Shukla

Work Impact
ISS Research Myogenesis experiment on muscle degradation in microgravity
STEM Advocacy Ham radio interaction with students
Operational Experience Over 2,000 flying hours and participation in key IAF ops

Shubhanshu Shukla’s Legacy and Personality

Known for keeping plans quiet until execution, Shubhanshu’s discipline and secrecy were noted by his father. His mission has made him a national icon, showing India’s rising strength in space.

With a mix of technical brilliance, humility, and courage, he continues to inspire youth toward careers in aerospace and STEM. His voice from the ISS in Hindi made headlines, echoing pride across the nation.

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