“Kind of Did Not Want to Come Back”: Shubhanshu Shukla Shares Space Experience

Kolkata: Air Force Group Captain Shubhanshu Shukla, the first Indian to visit the International Space Station (ISS) as part of the Axiom-4 mission, described space as a place of profound peace and breathtaking views, saying he “actually kind of did not want to come back.” Shukla returned to India from the United States on August 17, 2025, after completing his 18-day mission.
Addressing schoolchildren at an event organized by the Indian Centre for Space Physics, Shukla reflected on the difference between hands-on space experience and theoretical training. He called his journey a critical “stepping stone” for India’s human spaceflight ambitions under the Gaganyaan program. “The experience gained is a national asset and is already guiding ongoing missions,” he noted.
Shukla emphasized that India is pursuing “big and bold dreams” in space exploration, including the Gaganyaan program, the development of an indigenous space station, and ultimately, a human landing on the Moon targeted for 2040. He stressed that these goals, while challenging, are achievable and urged students to take ownership of India’s space aspirations.
Highlighting the growing opportunities in the sector, Shukla said expanding human spaceflight capabilities would create significant employment prospects. He echoed the words of India’s first astronaut, Rakesh Sharma, noting that “from orbit, India is still the best in the world,” while asserting that the achievement was a collective one, reflecting the talent and dedication of the nation.
Shukla pointed out that India is now developing a complete astronaut ecosystem, allowing future generations to not only dream of space but also achieve it domestically. “Space missions inspire a million hopes. That is why such programs must continue. The sky is not the limit,” he said.
Looking ahead, Shukla expressed eagerness to participate in more missions, including a spacewalk, which would require an additional two years of training. He encouraged scientists to prepare long-term systems while remaining adaptable to emerging technologies over the next decades, underscoring India’s commitment to advancing human spaceflight at a rapid pace.