Indian astronaut Shubhanshu Shukla met Defence Minister Rajnath Singh in Delhi to discuss India’s advancing space ambitions and the upcoming Gaganyaan mission. The meeting highlighted the collaboration between ISRO and the defence establishment as India prepares to send humans into space. Shukla is among the selected astronauts being trained for the mission, marking a significant step in the country’s space exploration journey.

Astronaut Shubhanshu Shukla meets Defence Minister Rajnath Singh in Delhi

'Shukx': Axiom-4 mission assigns call sign for Indian astronaut Shubhanshu Shukla ahead of ISS visit

India’s first mission to ISS

A call sign with camaraderie

A crucial step towards Gaganyaan

Launch from the United States

The Crew

Scientific objectives and experiments

Second Indian in space

Shukla will carry the unique call sign ‘Shukx’, pronounced “Shux”, during his mission. More than a technical identifier, the name reflects the camaraderie he shares with his international teammates.

Group Captain Shubhanshu Shukla is set to make history as the second Indian to travel to space. As part of the Axiom-4 mission, he will fly to the International Space Station in May, marking India’s return to space after 41 years. Shukla, an Indian Air Force fighter pilot, is ready to represent India on this historic mission.

Indian astronaut Shubhanshu Shukla to pilot Axiom-4 space mission