Igniting Young Minds: Indian Astronaut Shubhanshu Shukla Inspires Educators at National Convention

In an inspiring session titled “Ignite Minds, Exploring Frontiers: The Convergence of Space, Education, and Industry,” Indian Air Force Group Captain and astronaut Shubhanshu Shukla shared his extraordinary journey with educators at the 56th National Convention of the All India Association of Catholic Schools (AINACS), held at the Park Regis Convention Centre, Arpora, Goa, from October 7–10, 2025.

The Challenges of Re-entry and the Body’s Transition

Addressing a packed audience of school principals and educators, Captain Shukla reflected on the profound physical and mental challenges of returning from space. He presented a few video clips while sharing his journey.

“When you come back from microgravity, even simple acts like lifting your neck to look out the window feel incredibly heavy,” he explained. “I realized we must be under 2 or 3 Gs because of the strain, but the display read only 0.3 G. The transition the body goes through is so drastic.”

He recounted the difficulty of taking his first steps after splashdown: “I had the strength, but my mind had forgotten how much effort walking takes. With every step, I was falling if someone wasn’t supporting me. Only gradually do you come back to normal functioning.”

He emphasized that these challenges offer vital lessons for life on Earth and beyond.

Shaping Curiosity and Resilience in Students

Captain Shukla highlighted the importance of nurturing curiosity and resilience in students: “When kids ask, ‘How do I become an astronaut?’ that is a true win for me. They are already asking the right questions. Our role as educators is to guide them from where they are to where they want to be, and to instill the right values along the way.”

He urged educators to prepare students with the skills and resilience to face an unknown future. Drawing parallels with space exploration, he asked them to imagine sending someone to Mars: “We don’t even know the questions we want to answer. This is the mindset we must foster in students.”

Journey from Test Pilot to Astronaut

During a participant Q&A, Captain Shukla shared the story of how he became an astronaut. The opportunity arose after a 2018 announcement about India’s human spaceflight program, which selected candidates primarily from test pilots.

“There were 72 of us who applied, and over eight months of rigorous physical, medical, and psychological evaluations, only four were selected. I don’t know exactly why I made it through all the tests, but psychological fitness is extremely important. That was high on the list.”

He revealed that becoming an astronaut was never a childhood dream: “I never thought I’d be an astronaut. As a kid, I was fascinated by the story of the first astronauts, but India did not have a human space program then. This was never something I imagined for myself.”

Captain Shukla credited his approach to opportunities and perseverance as key factors in his journey: “Whenever an opportunity presents itself, I first say yes. I figure out the rest later. Also, my initial training at the National Defence Academy and the Air Force was challenging. The belief that if someone else can do it, then I can too has carried me forward. We all have the same hands, the same legs, one brain, and two eyes, so why not me?”

“This belief has helped me navigate difficult times. It’s a series of experiences that brought me here, and I am deeply grateful for this opportunity.”

A Tribute to Educators and a Call for Ambition

Reflecting on his own education, Captain Shukla expressed gratitude to teachers and principals: “Today, I stand before you not just as a Group Captain or an astronaut, but as a proud product of our education system. The values imparted to me by my teachers have shaped who I am.”

Born on October 10, 1985, in Lucknow, Uttar Pradesh, Captain Shukla attended City Montessori School, Lucknow (CISCE Board), where he demonstrated academic excellence and a keen interest in technology and aviation. He graduated from the National Defence Academy (NDA), Pune, earning a Bachelor of Technology (B.Tech.) degree, and later pursued a Master of Technology at the Indian Institute of Science (IISc), Bengaluru.

In 2024, he was chosen as the pilot for Axiom Mission 4, a joint mission with Axiom Space, NASA, and SpaceX, making him the first Indian astronaut to visit the International Space Station. He is also an astronaut-designate for India’s maiden human spaceflight mission, Gaganyaan, scheduled for 2026.

He concluded with a rallying call for ambitious national goals in space exploration: “Let us not wait 41 years to send someone to space from India. Let us send 41 people in one year from this nation. It will take all of us, educators and explorers alike, to enable that dream.”

The session left a lasting impression on attendees, inspiring them to continue shaping the next generation with vision, resilience, and courage.

(Br. John Malvino Alfonso, OCD, is a member of the Karnataka-Goa Province of the Order of Discalced Carmelites, based at Avila Jyothi, Mapusa, Goa, India.)