Group Captain Shubhanshu Shukla, earning the Ashok Chakra on Republic Day 2026 (Pic: Youtube)
Captain Shubhanshu Shukla Gets Ashok Chakra: A Proud Moment for India
Group Captain Shubhanshu Shukla has made India beam with pride through his journey, which started from Lucknow and ended in outer space. He was born on October 10, 1985, to Shambhu Dayal Shukla, who worked as a government officer, and Asha Shukla, who dedicated her life to home management. He made history as he traveled to the International Space Station through the Axiom Mission 4. The Ashok Chakra, which is India’s most prestigious peacetime award, was presented to him on January 26, 2026, making him the second Indian astronaut to receive this honor. His dedication to his work, his operational abilities, and his bravery show that every small-town person can achieve great things through their efforts.
Let us begin the exploration. Imagine this: Lucknow produces a small-town boy who takes his first step into space, 41 years after Wing Commander Rakesh Sharma became India’s first astronaut in 1984. Shukla completed his Axiom Mission 4 (Ax-4) journey to the International Space Station (ISS) through a space mission that required him to perform complex tasks demanding exceptional skill, bravery, and mental toughness.
He executed orbital maneuvers and microgravity operations as the primary mission pilot, where even a minor error could have led to mission failure. The astronauts maintained continuous control of their spacecraft while operating from Earth orbit, extending to distances exceeding 400 kilometers. Shukla navigated through these difficult circumstances, earning the Ashok Chakra, India’s highest peacetime military honor, on January 26, 2026.
This story invites us to reflect on how rarely people from small towns achieve global recognition through their accomplishments. Shukla’s journey demonstrates that real courage exists in those who show bravery through their everyday actions. Today, India celebrates a space mission that highlights courage, precision, and the power of dreaming big, even from humble beginnings.
Pioneering ISS Achievement: Shukla made history as the first Indian to set foot on and stay aboard the ISS, spending 18 days in orbit. His mission contributed to advancing India’s presence in human spaceflight.
Conducted around 60 scientific experiments during the mission.
Completed seven experiments specifically designated by ISRO.
Provided critical data to support India’s upcoming indigenous human spaceflight program, Gaganyaan.
Rakesh Sharma (1985): Awarded after becoming the first Indian in space aboard the Soviet Soyuz T-11 mission.
Shubhanshu Shukla (2026): Awarded 41 years later for piloting the SpaceX Dragon “Grace” to the ISS.
Aishwarya is a journalism graduate with over three years of experience thriving in the buzzing corporate media world. She’s got a knack for decoding business news, tracking the twists and turns of the stock market, covering the masala of the entertainment world, and sometimes her stories come with just the right sprinkle of political commentary. She has worked with several organizations, interned at ZEE and gained professional skills at TV9 and News24, And now is learning and writing at NewsX, she’s no stranger to the newsroom hustle. Her storytelling style is fast-paced, creative, and perfectly tailored to connect with both the platform and its audience. Moto: Approaching every story from the reader’s point of view, backing up her insights with solid facts.
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