Indian astronaut Shubhanshu Shukla turns author, announces memoir 'The Second Orbit'
Months after becoming the first Indian to visit the International Space Station, Group Captain Shubhanshu Shukla is preparing for a different kind of launch; the release of his first book chronicling his journey from Earth to orbit.
Group Captain Shubhanshu Shukla, the first Indian astronaut to visit the International Space Station (ISS), is set to add another achievement to his growing list of accomplishments.
Shukla is making his debut as an author with the release of his memoir, The Second Orbit: Belief of a Man Dreams of 1.4 Billion Hearts, scheduled to hit bookstores on June 25.
Published by Penguin Random House India (PRHI), the memoir promises to offer readers an intimate look at the journey behind one of India’s most significant space missions in recent decades.
Moving beyond the headlines and public celebrations, Shukla recounts the years of dedication, rigorous training, setbacks, and uncertainty that shaped his path to space.
According to Shukla, the book explores the realities of human spaceflight and the personal sacrifices required to pursue what often seemed like an impossible dream.
“I won't stop trying to make this journey mean something for others,” Shux said in a message.
Through candid reflections, Shukla shares the mental and physical challenges involved in preparing for a mission beyond Earth, while also highlighting the resilience and belief that kept him moving forward.
Shukla became a household name after participating in NASA’s Axiom-4 mission last year. As one of the four astronauts aboard the commercial spaceflight, he spent 18 days on the International Space Station conducting scientific experiments and outreach activities.
The mission marked a historic milestone for India, as it returned an Indian astronaut to space after more than four decades.
The last Indian to travel to space was Wing Commander Rakesh Sharma, who flew aboard a Soviet Soyuz spacecraft in 1984. Sharma’s iconic mission remained India’s only human spaceflight achievement for decades, making Shukla’s journey a landmark moment for the country’s growing ambitions in space exploration.
The title of the memoir reflects both Shukla’s personal journey and the aspirations of a nation of over 1.4 billion people. The book is expected to provide a rare first-hand account of life aboard the ISS, the demanding preparation that precedes a space mission, and the emotional significance of representing India on the global stage.
With India preparing for its own human spaceflight programme under Gaganyaan, Shukla’s memoir arrives at a time of renewed public interest in space exploration. The book is likely to inspire a new generation of students, scientists, and dreamers who hope to follow in the footsteps of the country’s pioneering astronauts.
Group Captain Shubhanshu Shukla, the first Indian astronaut to visit the International Space Station (ISS), is set to add another achievement to his growing list of accomplishments.
Shukla is making his debut as an author with the release of his memoir, The Second Orbit: Belief of a Man Dreams of 1.4 Billion Hearts, scheduled to hit bookstores on June 25.
Published by Penguin Random House India (PRHI), the memoir promises to offer readers an intimate look at the journey behind one of India’s most significant space missions in recent decades.
Moving beyond the headlines and public celebrations, Shukla recounts the years of dedication, rigorous training, setbacks, and uncertainty that shaped his path to space.
According to Shukla, the book explores the realities of human spaceflight and the personal sacrifices required to pursue what often seemed like an impossible dream.
“I won't stop trying to make this journey mean something for others,” Shux said in a message.
Through candid reflections, Shukla shares the mental and physical challenges involved in preparing for a mission beyond Earth, while also highlighting the resilience and belief that kept him moving forward.
Shukla became a household name after participating in NASA’s Axiom-4 mission last year. As one of the four astronauts aboard the commercial spaceflight, he spent 18 days on the International Space Station conducting scientific experiments and outreach activities.
The mission marked a historic milestone for India, as it returned an Indian astronaut to space after more than four decades.
The last Indian to travel to space was Wing Commander Rakesh Sharma, who flew aboard a Soviet Soyuz spacecraft in 1984. Sharma’s iconic mission remained India’s only human spaceflight achievement for decades, making Shukla’s journey a landmark moment for the country’s growing ambitions in space exploration.
The title of the memoir reflects both Shukla’s personal journey and the aspirations of a nation of over 1.4 billion people. The book is expected to provide a rare first-hand account of life aboard the ISS, the demanding preparation that precedes a space mission, and the emotional significance of representing India on the global stage.
With India preparing for its own human spaceflight programme under Gaganyaan, Shukla’s memoir arrives at a time of renewed public interest in space exploration. The book is likely to inspire a new generation of students, scientists, and dreamers who hope to follow in the footsteps of the country’s pioneering astronauts.
