Reflecting on cosmic voyage,Shubhanshu Shukla, astronaut and Indian Air Force Group Captain, shared his experiences aboard International Space Station while unveiling his book,The Second Orbit: Belief of a Man… Dreams of 1.4 Billion Hearts, on July 4, 2026. Shukla,first Indian to reach ISS,revisited historic mission from last year,spotlighting successful end of demanding STEM project after five days of grit.
He detailed complex challenge by ISRO, tasking him with crafting a water bubble,adding an air bubble,then a coffee bubble. After days of obstacles,Shukla celebrated completing this on July 4,2025. "Achieving this on this day brought immense joy," he said,emphasizing teamwork's role in such feats.
During 18 days with NASA's Axiom-4 mission,Shukla orbited Earth 320 times,covering around 1.4 crore kilometers . He noted crucial role of countless people on ground ensuring mission success. "Launching astronaut into space involves efforts of thousands,massive team on ground,every one vital," he explained, underscoring cooperation in space exploration.
Shukla's book emerged from wish to show that big achievements rarely belong to one person alone . Though he hadn't planned to write a book after returning to India, he saw it as chance to reach broader audience.
Alongside serious themes,Shukla amused crowd with tales from space adventure. He recounted a whimsical moment where he napped inside large black bag for spacesuit storage instead of strapping into seat like others. "When crew woke to eat, they couldn't find me," he said, sparking laughter. "They found four bags but only three crew members. For a while,it was mystery—how can someone vanish in such a small capsule in space?"
At book launch, former ISRO Chairman S. Somanath addressed hurdles facing India's Gaganyaan mission,emphasizing research and experience needed for human spacecraft development. He suggested missions like Shukla's offer valuable insights. "Gaganyaan is a daunting challenge," Somanath affirmed, stressing thorough testing and safety before crewed missions.
Shukla's journey resonates with Indians. "Considering 140 crore Indians,I've traveled about 100 meters for each of you. In a way, you're all part of this expedition," he concluded, highlighting communal essence of his journey. But what next…?
