Space hero Shubhanshu Shukla to meet PM Modi today after historic ISS mission

New Delhi: Indian astronaut Shubhanshu Shukla is scheduled to meet Prime Minister Narendra Modi this evening at the Prime Minister’s residence, 7 Lok Kalyan Marg, in New Delhi, between 5 and 5:30 pm. The meeting comes on the heels of Shukla’s triumphant return after his historic mission to the International Space Station (ISS) as part of the Axiom-4 mission.

Shukla was welcomed in Delhi with immense pride and fanfare by government ministers, ISRO officials, and members of the public. His achievements mark a major milestone for India’s space ambitions: he is the second Indian to journey to space, after Rakesh Sharma in 1984, and the country's first astronaut aboard the ISS.

During his 18-day stay on the ISS, Shukla conducted pioneering experiments in microgravity on topics ranging from muscle regeneration to algal growth and food nutrition, with implications for long-duration space missions and future sustainable life-support systems. His research was coordinated through a collaboration between ISRO, the Department of Biotechnology, and NASA.

The timing of Shukla's meeting with PM Modi is substantial. Parliament is set to hold a special discussion on his mission, reflecting the national pride and strategic importance of India’s space program as it aims for broader achievements—such as the upcoming Gaganyaan human spaceflight mission in 2027 and plans to build an Indian space station by 2047.

Shukla will next participate in National Space Day celebrations on August 22-23, inspiring youth and underlining the expanding opportunities in India's rapidly growing space sector. His homecoming and meeting with the Prime Minister stand as a beacon for young Indians, encouraging them to pursue careers in science, technology, and space exploration.

Shubhanshu Shukla’s historic journey highlights India's emergence as a major space power and the collective aspirations for scientific advancement, global cooperation, and national pride.