Being selected for ISS mission: Proud, not nervous, says Shubhanshu's family

Bengaluru, NT Bureau: Group Captain Shubhanshu Shukla's family in Lucknow is filled with pride as congratulatory greetings keep pouring in on his selection for an upcoming Indo-US mission to the International Space Station (ISS).

His father Shambhu Dayal Shukla, a retired government officer, said the family is not nervous about the expedition, but filled with pride for his achievement, while his mother Asha Shukla described Shubhanshu, their youngest child, as "cool-minded" who handles every situation without losing his temper.

On Friday, the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) announced that Group Captains Shubhanshu Shukla and Prasanth Balakrishnan Nair have been selected for the mission to the ISS. Shubhanshu's name has been recommended as the primary astronaut and Nair will be his backup, the ISRO said.

This has been done on the recommendation of the NASA-identified service provider Axiom Space Inc, sources in the ISRO told PTI. The announcement led to celebrations at the Shukla family's home in Lucknow's Triveni Nagar area.

"We are very happy and feel proud of his achievements. We are praying to God that the mission becomes successful, which we are confident about. People of the country are also showering their blessings," Shambhu told PTI Videos.

The fighter pilot's father said he spoke to Shubhanshu on Friday when he was informed about his selection for the mission. Asked if Shubhanshu had any inclination towards space since childhood, his father said "not really".

He said he worked in the secretariat and wanted his son to opt for a career in civil services or medicine "but one's destiny is chosen by God".

Hailing Shubhanshu's achievements, he said, "My child has been successful in every step. He got selected for the Air Force, then by the ISRO and now for the space mission." Shubhanshu is the youngest of the four siblings.