Captain Shubhanshu Shukla Describes His Historic ISS Journey as "Unforgettable" and Highlights India's 2040 Moon Mission Goals

Captain Shubhanshu Shukla described his return to Earth as an "exhilarating experience" following his historic space mission.

Captain Shubhanshu Shukla, who made history as the first Indian to board the International Space Station (ISS) during the Axiom Mission-4 earlier this year, shared on Wednesday that his journey to space was truly "unforgettable" and his return to Earth was an "exhilarating experience."

During an interaction with youth at an event hosted by Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) MP Shashank Mani Tripathi in Barpar village, approximately 15 km from Uttar Pradesh's Deoria district headquarters, Shukla highlighted India's ambitious space policy that includes establishing a presence on the Moon by 2040.

"Returning to Earth was an exhilarating experience. The mission Gaganyaan, which aims to send an Indian into space and bring him back safely, and the subsequent development of an Indian spacecraft are key components of India's space policy. Reaching the Moon by 2040 is one of its main objectives," Shukla explained.

Having traveled to the ISS in June and returned in July, Shukla reflected, "Every moment in space was unforgettable. The experience of seeing Earth from space and then returning home was beyond words." He encouraged young people interested in space exploration, emphasizing that passion and determination are crucial qualities for those aspiring to make significant contributions as astronauts.

"My role now is to use the experience and technical knowledge gained during the Axiom Mission-4 to inspire the next generation," Shukla added.