Astronaut-designate Shubhanshu Shukla's mantra is 'to dream big'

Group Captain Shubhanshu Shukla, the Indian Air Force (IAF) test pilot chosen for Axiom Space's Ax-4 mission next month, is set to become the first Indian to visit the International Space Station.

- Deep Saxena

The 39-year-old astronaut-designate will pilot India's first human spaceflight in 41 years since Wing Commander Rakesh Sharma's 1984 mission.

Group Captain Shukla is currently training in Houston, US and cannot speak to the media, as per protocol.

However, his sister, science teacher Suchi Shukla tells us, "He is super-excited about it. We're a little scared, but we are very happy and proud of him."