41 years after Rakesh Sharma’s iconic spaceflight, India is back among the stars. Group Captain Shubhanshu Shukla has become the second Indian to travel to space, aboard Axiom Space’s AX-4 mission. From fighter jets to the International Space Station, this is a story of grit, science, and a rising space power. As India prepares for its own Gaganyaan mission, Shukla’s journey is more than symbolic — it’s a test run for the future.