Group Captain Shubhanshu Shukla has returned to India after completing the Axiom-4 mission to the International Space Station (ISS). At a press conference in Delhi on Thursday, he shared his experiences of space travel, in the presence of ISRO Chairman V. Narayanan and Union Minister Dr. Jitendra Singh.

Shukla expressed gratitude to the government and ISRO for the opportunity and said, “The body usually adapts to space within 3–4 days. No amount of training can fully prepare you for the feeling when the rocket takes off. The actual experience of the mission is beyond imagination.”

He added that traveling in space brings unique changes to the body, but with time, everything returns to normal. Shukla also underlined how such missions provide insights and knowledge that training alone cannot deliver.

Reflecting on his journey, Shukla remarked, “Even today, Bharat looks better than the whole world when seen from space. India is still the most beautiful.” He also encouraged young Indians to dream big, noting that more children are now aspiring to become astronauts, and ISRO is fully prepared to guide them.

On the Gaganyaan mission, he mentioned that ISRO’s first human spaceflight program is set for 2027, when three Indian Air Force pilots will be sent into space.

During the event, Union Minister Jitendra Singh said that India has developed a clear strategy for advancing space science. He pointed out that the country’s space economy, currently at $8 billion, is expected to reach $45 billion in the coming years, reflecting increasing global interest and domestic participation.

ISRO Chairman V. Narayanan highlighted achievements under PM Modi’s leadership, including the successful launch of the South Asian Satellite and the G20 Satellite, which was developed for member nations. He also noted the rapid growth of India’s private space sector, with over 300 startups now active, compared to just one a decade ago.