Astronaut Shubhanshu Shukla Receives Hero's Welcome in Hometown Lucknow
IAF Group Captain Shubhanshu Shukla, who recently became the first Indian to visit the International Space Station (ISS), received a grand welcome upon his return to his hometown of Lucknow. After an 18-day mission conducting experiments for ISRO, Shukla was greeted by enthusiastic crowds, family, and state officials. His journey aboard the Ax-4 mission is hailed as a significant step for India's upcoming Gaganyaan human spaceflight programme and has inspired youth across the state.
Unpacked:
Shukla completed seven Indian-led microgravity experiments, including studies on muscle regeneration, algal growth, crop viability, microbial survivability, cognitive performance in space, and the behavior of cyanobacteria, all aimed at enhancing understanding of human spaceflight and microgravity science.
Shukla’s Ax-4 mission serves as a precursor and learning opportunity for India’s Gaganyaan programme, providing valuable experience in astronaut training, mission operations, and scientific experimentation in space, which will help shape India’s own human spaceflight efforts.
Shukla’s Ax-4 crew included commander Peggy Whitson (U.S.), mission specialists Sławosz Uznański-Wiśniewski (Poland/ESA), and Tibor Kapu (Hungary), reflecting a diverse, multinational collaboration involving NASA, ESA, Axiom Space, and ISRO.
Shukla underwent rigorous training, including survival tests, simulated environment drills, photography lessons, kayaking for team-building, and astronaut training at NASA’s Johnson Space Center and Russia’s Star City, preparing him for the physical and psychological demands of spaceflight.