New Delhi [India], January 31 (ANI): Parents of Wing Commander Shubhanshu Shukla were elated after their son was selected as the pilot for National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA)'s Axiom-4 mission, scheduled this year. The parents credited Shubhanshu's hard work and dedication for his success and also acknowledged the contribution his wife behind his success. Expressing her immense happiness in an interaction with ANI, Shukla's mother Asha Shukla said she can't express her emotions in words. "We cannot express our feelings in words," she said. "Our joy is unlimited; we cannot put it into words. At times, we get emotional and tears well up... We pray to God that his missions continue to succeed." His mother also acknowledged the contribution of her daughter-in-law in her son's success. "She has also played a role. Though we live far away, she has always been there for him. It is a combination of my son's hard work and her support. Dedication and perseverance have led him to this achievement today," Asha Shukla said. Recalling the initial days, she shared, "In the beginning, we were worried when he started his studies, but not anymore. Now, everything is in God's hands, and whatever He wills, happens." Shubhanshu Shukla's father, Dayal Shukla hailed his son's selection as a testimonial to his hard work and dedication, and said they feel "really good and prouid". "We never thought we would get such immense happiness, but due to his hard work, our son reached this stage and due to the blessings of God, he moves ahead always... He ranked well in Air Force due to which he was selected as an astronaut and then further selected among the four astronauts for this private mission...We feel really good and proud," he told ANI. Earlier in the day, Wing Commander Shubhanshu Shukla, an Indian Air Force (IAF) officer who was recently chosen as the 'Prime' astronaut for the Indian Space Research Organisation's (ISRO) Gaganyaan mission, was selected as the pilot for Axiom Mission 4, scheduled for Spring 2025. Shubhanshu Shukla, a serving IAF officer, will serve as the pilot for the Ax-4 mission. The Ax-4 mission will be commanded by former NASA astronaut Peggy Whitson, Axiom Space's director of Human Spaceflight. The two mission specialists are ESA project astronaut Slawosz Uznanski-Wisniewski from Poland and Tibor Kapu from Hungary. Shukla will be India's second astronaut to go to space since 1984. His journey began when he was commissioned into the IAF fighter wing in June 2006. As a combat leader and seasoned test pilot, he boasts an impressive 2,000 hours of flight experience across various aircraft, including the Su-30 MKI, MiG-21, MiG-29, Jaguar, Hawk, Dornier, and An-32. His ascent to the rank of group captain in March 2024 reflects his exceptional contributions. (ANI)
