Astronaut Shubhanshu Shukla, fresh from his historic International Space Station mission, will visit Ahmedabad’s Amazing Space Museum today. The Ashoka Chakra awardee will tour the Shubhanshu Shukla Gallery, ISS simulation, and exhibits highlighting India’s growing achievements in human space exploration.
Fresh from his landmark journey to the International Space Station (ISS), astronaut and Ashoka Chakra awardee Group Captain Shubhanshu Shukla is set to visit Ahmedabad’s Amazing Space Museum – Zero Digital Space Museum on Saturday, marking another significant moment in India’s growing space exploration journey.
The visit, scheduled between 12 p.m. and 12.30 p.m., is expected to draw the attention of space enthusiasts, students and visitors eager to celebrate one of India’s most accomplished astronauts. During his visit, Shukla will tour several space-themed exhibits, including a specially curated gallery dedicated to his achievements and contributions to India’s human spaceflight programme.
According to museum organisers, the astronaut will experience the International Space Station simulation, explore interactive exhibits on space exploration and view an extensive Indian-themed astrophilately collection. He will also be introduced to what the museum describes as the world’s largest collection of space currency, curated by noted space enthusiast Tanmay Vyas.
The dedicated Shubhanshu Shukla Gallery has been developed to commemorate his historic mission and inspire future generations to pursue careers in science, technology and space exploration. The gallery showcases milestones in India’s space programme alongside significant international space missions, highlighting the country’s expanding role in global space research.
Shukla recently achieved a historic milestone by becoming the first Indian astronaut to visit the International Space Station and only the second Indian to travel to space after Wing Commander Rakesh Sharma’s mission in 1984. Serving as the pilot of Axiom Mission 4, he participated in the commercial spaceflight conducted through collaboration between Axiom Space, NASA, SpaceX and the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO).
The mission is widely regarded as a major step forward for India’s ambitions in human spaceflight. During nearly 20 days aboard the orbiting laboratory, Shukla conducted scientific experiments and technology demonstrations that are expected to contribute valuable operational experience for ISRO’s upcoming Gaganyaan human spaceflight programme.
Earlier this year, President Droupadi Murmu honoured Group Captain Shukla with the Ashoka Chakra, India’s highest peacetime gallantry award, recognising his courage, dedication and exceptional contribution to advancing the nation’s space ambitions. The honour further cemented his position as a national icon in India’s rapidly evolving space sector.
Commissioned into the Indian Air Force in 2006, Shukla has accumulated more than 2,000 flying hours on a wide range of aircraft, including the Su-30MKI, MiG-21, MiG-29, Jaguar, Hawk, Dornier and An-32. His extensive experience as a test pilot led to his selection in 2019 as one of ISRO’s astronaut-designates for the Gaganyaan programme before he was assigned to Axiom Mission 4.
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Museum organisers expressed confidence that Shukla’s visit would inspire thousands of young visitors by showcasing India’s achievements in human spaceflight and encouraging greater interest in science, innovation and space technology. His interaction with the museum’s unique exhibits is expected to reinforce the importance of India’s growing presence in international space exploration while celebrating a historic chapter in the nation’s scientific progress.
