IAF Chief Praises Astronaut Shubhanshu Shukla and Encourages Future Space Missions
In June 2025, Group Captain Shubhanshu Shukla became the first Indian astronaut to visit the International Space Station as part of the Axiom-4 mission, marking India's return to manned spaceflight after 41 years since Rakesh Sharma's 1984 flight. The Indian Air Force Chief praised Shukla and expressed hope for more astronauts like him, emphasizing the collective journey of all four IAF officers selected and trained for space missions, including those involved in the Gaganyaan program.