Ashok Chakra for Shubhanshu Shukla
Group Captain Shubhanshu Shukla, an Indian Air Force officer and astronaut, will receive the Ashok Chakra, the highest peacetime gallantry medal, on the Republic Day on Monday. The honour is for his historic mission to the International Space Station(ISS)in June last year. His 18-day stay in orbit provided critical data for India’s upcoming Gaganyaan mission.Shukla is the second Indian to enter space and the very first to board the ISS.
His name for the award was announced on the eve of the Republic Day on Sunday.Shukla’s 18-day space odyssey came 41 years after cosmonaut Rakesh Sharma flew aboard a Russian Soyuz in 1984.As a fighter pilot, Shukla has an impressive record of 2,000 hours of flight experience across various aircraft, including the Su-30 MKI, MiG-21, MiG-29, Jaguar, Hawk, Dornier and An-32.
The award recognizes Shukla’s exceptional contribution to India’s space and defence capabilities, as well as his immense mental fortitude while conducting critical, complex experiments in microgravity.The recognition highlights a new, modern form of bravery and service beyond the traditional battlefield.
While the mission was a triumph of international cooperation involving NASA and other global partners, for India, it was a rigorous test of endurance. During his time in orbit, Shukla conducted sophisticated microgravity experiments.These tests were not just for show; they provided essential data that would help future astronauts on the Gaganyaan mission survive the harsh environment of low Earth orbit.
The decision to award the Ashok Chakra indicates a shift. While typically reserved for acts of bravery on the ground, Shukla’s mission proved that the final frontier requires its own brand of courage.Navigating the complexities of a multinational space station while performing high-stakes science is no small feat. His work has solidified India’s reputation as a serious contender in the global space race. Shukla has become a household name. His feat has caught the imagination of millions of Indians.
