Tears, Triumph, and the Stars: A Mother's Prayer as India Sends Its Second Man to Space

Group Captain Shubhanshu Shukla becomes the second Indian in space via Axiom-4. From a mother’s emotional farewell to India’s rising space economy—discover the Indian companies involved, investor opportunities, mission cost, and the international collaboration behind this historic journey.

Credit-NDTV

A Moment Etched in Emotion and History

In a modest home in New Delhi, the nation witnessed a defining moment through the eyes of a mother. Asha Shukla, hands folded and eyes brimming with tears, watched her son, Group Captain Shubhanshu Shukla, soar into the cosmos aboard the Axiom-4 mission — the first Indian to do so in 40 years since Wing Commander Rakesh Sharma’s legendary journey in 1984.

Her husband, Shambhu Dayal Shukla, looked on with pride, excitement beaming from his face. The launch of SpaceX’s Crew Dragon atop a Falcon 9 rocket from NASA’s Kennedy Space Center was not just a family’s proud moment, but a nation's, too.

Rituals, Love, and a Video Call Before Space

Just hours before the launch, the family connected over a video call. In a tender moment of tradition, Asha offered her son dahi-cheeni, a mixture of yogurt and sugar considered auspicious in Indian homes before embarking on big journeys.

Her words were simple yet powerful:
“We just told him to go and complete his mission, and then we will meet again.”
— Asha Shukla

Group Captain Shukla responded with calm assurance:
“Just wait for me, I’m coming.”

Who is Group Captain Shubhanshu Shukla

At just 39, Shubhanshu Shukla has achieved what only one other Indian has before him. A seasoned Indian Air Force pilot, he spent over a month in quarantine before lift-off and trained rigorously for this collaborative international space mission.

His journey signals a new age in India’s global aerospace diplomacy, blending military discipline with cutting-edge science.

Axiom-4: More Than a Mission, A Movement

The Axiom-4 Mission, operated by Axiom Space in collaboration with SpaceX and NASA, marks a shift in how space is accessed. No longer the domain of just governments, private-public partnerships now define modern space travel.

The four-member crew includes:

Commander Peggy Whitson from the USA
Group Captain Shubhanshu Shukla from India
Slawosz Uznanski-Wisniewski from Poland
Tibor Kapu from Hungary

They are headed to the International Space Station for a two-week mission, conducting over 60 experiments, seven of which were designed by Indian research institutions.

India's Role: Science, Strategy, and Stock Market Opportunities

India's pride in this mission isn't just symbolic — it's strategic and economic. Several Indian companies have either contributed directly or are closely aligned with the mission through partnerships with ISRO or international aerospace firms.

1. Larsen and Toubro (L&T)

Sector: Aerospace manufacturing, structural systems
Contribution: Components possibly integrated in supporting payloads and docking systems
Investor Insight: L&T is a major ISRO supplier; this boosts their credibility for future global space contracts

2. Godrej Aerospace

Sector: Propulsion and rocket components
Contribution: Known for supplying thrusters, engines, and modules to ISRO and possibly for payload integration in Axiom-4
Investor Insight: While privately owned, it impacts affiliated engineering partners

3. Bharat Electronics Ltd (BEL)

Sector: Defence electronics, communications
Contribution: Likely involved in telemetry systems and space-borne communication hardware
Investor Insight: Government-owned BEL stands to benefit from expanding defence-space convergence

4. Hindustan Aeronautics Ltd (HAL)

Sector: Aeronautics, astronaut support
Contribution: Longtime partner in ISRO and DRDO, possibly aiding Gaganyaan-aligned systems
Investor Insight: HAL is gaining momentum in space-related engineering, with growing defence exports

5. Tata Advanced Systems

Sector: Aerospace research and development
Contribution: A rising player in satellite and UAV manufacturing
Investor Insight: Part of the Tata Group, its growth benefits investors through Tata Elxsi and Tata Power Defence

6. Ananth Technologies

Sector: Satellite and electronics manufacturing
Contribution: Likely provided mission electronics or subsystems
Investor Insight: Private company, central to India's commercial space future

Cost of the Mission

Total Axiom-4 mission cost: Approximately 200 to 250 million US dollars
Estimated cost per seat on Crew Dragon: Around 55 million US dollars
India’s direct cost: Likely subsidized through scientific collaboration and partnership agreements

This model keeps India’s costs low while gaining access to international facilities like the International Space Station and cutting-edge private space vehicles.

Seven Indian Experiments in Space

Among the 60 experiments, India's contributions focus on:

Cardiovascular studies in microgravity
Stem cell behavior
Materials research
AI-based space imaging
Space-grade computing
Immunology in orbit
Payload tech developed by Indian universities and startups

The Bigger Picture: India’s Space Future

Shukla’s journey bridges Rakesh Sharma’s legacy and ISRO’s Gaganyaan ambitions. It confirms that India can be part of elite missions in global space travel, not just symbolically, but technically and economically.

For Indian investors, this opens a new era of possibilities in aerospace, defence, and space-tech sectors.

Conclusion: From Earth to Orbit, a Nation’s Rise

As the rocket rose over the Florida skies, a billion Indians watched. With Group Captain Shukla’s lift-off, India reaffirmed its place in the global space race. It was more than a launch — it was a declaration that India is ready for space not only as a participant, but as a future leader.

This mission was powered not just by rockets and science, but by a mother's blessing, a family's pride, and a nation's aspirations.

Author’s Note

As I wrote this story, I found myself deeply moved—not just by the historic achievement of Group Captain Shubhanshu Shukla, but by the quiet strength of his mother, Asha Shukla, whose folded hands and moist eyes said more than words ever could.

This isn’t merely a blog about a space mission. It’s about emotion, legacy, and India’s quiet but confident rise on the global stage of science and exploration. It’s a reminder that behind every launch are countless untold stories of families, engineers, scientists, and dreamers.

Through this article, I also wanted to highlight how India’s space success is increasingly intertwined with private innovation and public investment. As we look to the stars, we must also appreciate those working on the ground — in labs, factories, and homes — to make such dreams possible.

If this story stirred something in you — pride, curiosity, or inspiration — then it has served its purpose.

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