My real mission is to see Tricolour on Moon by 2040: Captain Shubhanshu Shukla
Shukla said he never felt alone during Axiom Mission 4 that took him to space and back in June 2025, "because the whole nation was part of the mission".
Captain Shubhanshu Shukla, the first Indian astronaut to visit the International Space Station, expressed his ambition to see an Indian flag planted on the Moon by 2040 during a session at the 10th Military Literature Festival. He emphasized that he never felt alone during his Axiom Mission 4 in June 2025, as the entire nation was a part of the mission. After returning from space, Shukla is now focused on preparing India's national mission Gaganyaan to further contribute to the nation's growth and prosperity.
During the session, titled "From Fighter Cockpit to Spacecraft: India's New Frontier in Air and Space Power," Shukla shared his 20-day and 3-hour experience in space. He described the violent and chaotic experience of taking off from the ISS, mentioning his initial doubt about making the right decision to travel to space. Shukla urged young people to pursue science and follow their dreams with courage, emphasizing that classrooms foster audacious dreams that should be nurtured with courage and spirit for success and societal contribution.
Shukla also highlighted the physical and mental changes that occur while in space, such as growing taller and having a smaller heart. He urged youngsters to take up challenges with the right spirit, inspired by the fact that Dr. Peggy Whitson, who endured nine rejections before being chosen to fly to space at the age of 39, now holds the longest stay in space record. This serves as motivation for those feeling negative at any stage in their life.
During a panel discussion on the second day of the MLF, subject experts stressed the need for India to conduct an effective and regular assessment of its national security needs and aspirations. With China surpassing even the US in global power, the world order is rapidly changing, with leading nations investing in military energies for objectives like territory gain, securing oil reserves, and regime change.
To strengthen its security architecture, India should focus on innovations in space, cyber, and Artificial Intelligence, said strategic affairs expert Sushant Sareen.
Written by urgent.news from Hindustan Times's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
