A rapid ascent, a breathtaking vista, and an encounter with the sublime: Group Captain Shubhanshu Shukla, India’s trailblazing astronaut, recently recounted his phenomenal journey into the cosmos. He made history in June-July 2025, becoming the first Indian to visit the International Space Station (ISS) and only the second Indian ever to venture into outer space, a feat celebrated with the prestigious News18 India’s Amrit Ratna Samman. Shukla’s insights offer a rare glimpse into the profound experience of Shubhanshu Shukla space travel.
His voice, calm yet imbued with the wonder of the heavens, resonated as he described the sheer power of a rocket launch. “The three seconds of ignition were beyond my expectation in terms of speed and force,” Shukla shared. Imagine, rocketing from a standstill to an astonishing 28,500 km/hour in just 8.5 minutes! The acceleration, he explained, is a visceral, overwhelming sensation, compressing lungs and multiplying one’s perceived weight fivefold. Basic movements become monumental tasks, demanding extraordinary effort and a unique breathing technique.
Shubhanshu Shukla’s View from Space
Yet, amidst the physical demands, there was unparalleled beauty. The most magnificent sight? India itself. “Just like Rakesh Sharma described,” he mused, “the Indian peninsula is so brightly lit amid the dark waters when you are going from the Indian Ocean to the Himalayas.” It was a moment of profound, speechless connection, flying over the very land he calls home. The Earth, a vibrant blue marble, appeared utterly beautiful, the emotional bond with his homeland amplifying the awe.
Life aboard the International Space Station, this unparalleled orbital outpost, presented its own unique set of challenges. Microgravity, an environment impossible to fully simulate on Earth, proved disorienting. “The first few days are challenging. You are suspended in the air,” Shukla remarked, highlighting the difficulties associated with simple acts like movement and eating. It’s an experience, he insists, that defies verbal explanation; a phenomenon that must be lived to be understood.
Beyond the personal revelations, Group Captain Shubhanshu Shukla also offered an inspiring vision for India’s future. His discussion with Prime Minister Modi, described as deeply motivational, centered on propelling the nation further into space exploration. And for the next generation of aspiring astronauts? He laid down a monumental challenge: to ensure an Indian stands on the moon by 2040. This bold ambition for Shubhanshu Shukla space endeavors is now the collective responsibility of India’s youth, a dream for them to fulfill.
Shukla’s historic mission saw him serve as the primary pilot for the Ax-4 commercial spaceflight. Launched aboard a SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket from the Kennedy Space Center on June 25, 2025, he spent 18 remarkable days docked at the orbital laboratory before a safe splashdown in the Pacific Ocean on July 15, 2025. His pioneering achievements in Shubhanshu Shukla space travel were rightfully acknowledged with the Ashoka Chakra in 2026, India’s highest peacetime military decoration.
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