A new chapter has been added to India’s Space Mission history. Shubhanshu Shukla, an experienced pilot of Indian Air Force and now an astronaut, went to the International Space Station (ISS) and completed 18 days of important research work there. However, he completed this mission without any salary – yes, you read it right. ISRO spent about ₹ 548 crore on this entire mission, but Shukla did not get even one rupee salary. So was this mission done only for experience? Let’s know all the important aspects related to this mission in this report.
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Who is Shubhanshu Shukla?
Group Captain Shubhanshu Shukla is an experienced fighter pilot of the Indian Air Force, which has more than 2000 flight hours experience. He traveled into space under Axiom Mission 4 (AX-4) run by Axiom Space. The aim of this mission was – collecting data for future Indian space campaigns and gaining experience.
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When and how the mission started?
The AX-4 mission was launched in June 2025, and on 15 July the entire team-which included US commander Peggy Whitson, Poland’s Slawosz Uznanski, Hungary’s Tibor Kapu, and Shubhanshu Shukla of India-returned to the earth safely.
Although the mission was initially fixed for 14 days, it was extended to 18 days due to scientific research and other programs going on in space.
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Only experience instead of salary
The most shocking thing in this entire mission was that Shubhanshu Shukla did not get any salary. None of ISRO, NASA or Axiom gave them any direct payment for this mission. Indeed, this mission was done with the aim of fully training and experience.
According to a BBC report, ISRO spent a total of ₹ 548 crore on this mission, including training, travel and research expenses. But for Shukla, this mission was much larger than money – it was an opportunity to contribute to a national interest and future space plans.
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Why was this mission necessary?
ISRO is preparing for its Gaganyaan Mission in the coming time, which will be India’s first manned space campaign in 2027. In such a situation, working on ISS, staying in space and doing research – all these things were very important to prepare the foundation of Gaganyaan mission.
Shubhanshu Shukla not only tested Indian technology while on ISS, but also examined the Indian life support system, practical conditions, and space friendly equipment in space.
What did ISRO say?
ISRO has described this mission as a “stepping stone” – that is, it is a stop that will prepare India for its own manned missions in the future. ISRO says that the learning in this mission will be helpful in other long -term space operations other than Gaganyaan.
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Proud talk for the country
Of course, Shubhanshu Shukla did not get any salary, but he illuminated the name of India in space. He has now become the first Indian to visit ISS, and his experience will be used in India’s space programs in the coming times.
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Conclusion
This space trip by Shubhanshu Shukla was not just a mission, it was the preparation of India’s space future. While ISRO spent ₹ 548 crore on it, on the other hand, Shukla took this step for the country without any personal benefit.
Now when India is moving towards a big human space mission like Gaganyaan in 2027, heroes like Shubhanshu Shukla are coming out as our inspiration.
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So do you think such work done for the country is bigger than salary? Please tell your opinion in the comment.