Astronaut IAF Captain Subhanshu Shukla’s advice to kids: “Whatever opportunity comes your way, keep saying yes!”

“Keep Saying Yes”: Captain Shubhanshu Shukla Inspires Young Minds in Lucknow

Lucknow witnessed a moment of inspiration when Indian Astronaut and IAF Group Captain Shubhanshu Shukla addressed curious young students at the city’s planetarium. The astronaut, who recently created history by piloting the Axiom Mission-4 (Ax-4) to the International Space Station, has become a symbol of determination and grit. He shared simple yet powerful life lessons drawn from his extraordinary journey from the Indian Air Force cockpit to space.

Engaging with children’s questions, Shukla emphasized that true growth lies not in always having the right answers, but in the courage to ask the right questions. When asked what advice he would give to the next generation, he distilled his experiences into two guiding principles: never give up, and embrace opportunities by saying “yes.”

According to Shukla, persistence has been the cornerstone of his success. He admitted that there were moments of doubt and hesitation along the way, but choosing not to quit made all the difference. Equally important, he noted, is the willingness to step outside one’s comfort zone and seize opportunities instead of rejecting them out of fear or uncertainty. His mantra of “saying yes first, then figuring it out” has carried him from a classroom in Lucknow to orbiting Earth nearly 288 times aboard SpaceX’s Crew Dragon Grace.

“Curiosity is the spark,” he told the young audience, “but persistence and openness are the fuel. With both, there’s no limit to how high your journey can soar.”

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Captain Shukla’s journey has been as inspiring as his words. A decorated test pilot in the Indian Air Force, he was introduced in 2024 as one of four astronaut-candidates for India’s Gaganyaan programme. His training took him to Russia’s Yuri Gagarin Cosmonaut Training Center and ISRO’s astronaut facilities in Bengaluru. In June 2025, he became the first ISRO astronaut to visit the ISS and the second Indian in space after Rakesh Sharma (1984).

Launched on 25 June 2025 aboard SpaceX’s Falcon 9, Shukla served as pilot of Ax-4 under Axiom Space’s mission framework with NASA oversight. Over nearly 20 days in space, including 18 docked to the ISS, he conducted cutting-edge research in life sciences, technology, and Earth observation, while also participating in educational outreach sessions with students back on Earth. His mission was hailed as historic for India, Poland, and Hungary, who all sent astronauts to the ISS for the first time.

India’s own human spaceflight programme, Gaganyaan, is preparing to send its first astronauts into orbit aboard an indigenous spacecraft. The project represents a historic leap for the country, and Shukla’s experiences aboard Ax-4 have provided invaluable operational insights that will benefit upcoming Indian missions. His journey underscores that space exploration is no longer a distant dream for India, but an achievable goal powered by persistence, curiosity, and courage.

As Captain Shubhanshu Shukla continues to inspire the next generation, his message remains clear: dare to dream, say yes to opportunities, and never give up.