Shubhanshu Shukla return: Here's how much ISRO spent & what Shubhanshu Shukla was paid for Ax-4 mission
Let's take a closer look at how much ISRO spent on this mission and whether Shubhanshu Shukla was paid any salary during his stay in space.
Shubhanshu Shukla's Historic Journey to the ISS
On July 15, 2025, Shubhanshu Shukla, along with Commander Peggy Whitson, Polish astronaut Slawosz Uznanski, and Hungarian crewmate Tibor Kapu the crew of the Axiom Mission 4 (Ax-4), returned to Earth after spending 18 days aboard the ISS. Originally planned for 14 days, the mission was extended due to scientific requirements and scheduling.
• 20 days, 3 hours in space• 322 orbits completed• 1,39,10,400 kilometres travelled• 1st ever Indian on ISSWelcome back to Earth Gp Capt Shubhanshu Shukla 🌏🇮🇳 pic.twitter.com/8nPH0tLjl8
By completing this journey, Shukla became the first Indian astronaut to stay on the ISS and only the second Indian ever to travel to space, the first was Rakesh Sharma, who flew aboard a Soviet spacecraft in 1984.
Did Shubhanshu Shukla Receive a Salary for the Ax-4 Mission?
Here's the surprising part - Group Captain Shubhanshu Shukla, a distinguished pilot in the Indian Air Force (IAF), has 2,000 hours of flight experience across various aircraft, but was not paid any salary for the Ax-4 mission, as per CNBC TV 18. Even though he spent nearly three weeks in space, Shukla did not receive direct payment from ISRO, NASA, or Axiom Space.
That said, this mission wasn't about financial reward but rather about gaining experience and contributing to India's growing space research and future human spaceflight programmes.
ISRO Spent Rs 548 Crore on Shukla's Space Mission
While Shubhanshu Shukla didn't earn a salary, the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) fully sponsored India's part in the mission. According to a report by BBC, ISRO spent around Rs 548 crore on training, logistics, and scientific research for Shukla's spaceflight.
This massive budget covered several critical aspects:
Specialised astronaut training provided by NASA and Axiom Space
Launch and return logistics
Travel and accommodation on the International Space Station
Support for scientific experiments carried out in microgravity
Axiom Space and NASA Collaborated with ISRO
The Ax-4 mission was a private space venture by Axiom Space, conducted in collaboration with NASA. Though international in nature, India's involvement was made possible only because ISRO covered all expenses related to Shukla's participation. As a result, he was not on the payroll of NASA or Axiom.
This strategic investment by the Indian government is expected to pay off in the form of experience, exposure, and scientific advancement.
Scientific Experiments Led by Shubhanshu Shukla in Space
During his time aboard the ISS, Shubhanshu Shukla conducted seven key scientific experiments designed by ISRO. These were part of a larger group of 60 experiments carried out by the Ax-4 crew. His experiments included:
Impact of microgravity and radiation on edible microalgae
Sprouting salad seeds in space
Survival and gene expression in eutardigrade paramacrobiotus (BLR strain)
Effect of metabolic supplements on muscle regeneration
Human interaction with electronic displays in microgravity
Comparative growth of cyanobacteria on urea and nitrate
Microgravity effects on growth and yield of food crop seeds
These experiments will play a important role in developing technologies for India's future space missions, including Gaganyaan and other long-duration space travel.
Shubhanshu Shukla's Future in ISRO and Gaganyaan Mission
Even though Shubhanshu Shukla did not receive a salary for the Ax-4 mission, his experience is invaluable. The knowledge and skills he gained will be crucial for ISRO's Gaganyaan mission, India's first manned space mission planned for 2027.
Shukla is now expected to take on a significant role in India's human spaceflight programme, and his journey is being seen as a stepping stone for India's future space leadership.
Shubhanshu Shukla made history not for monetary gain but for pushing the boundaries of India's space achievements. Though he received no salary for his time in orbit, ISRO's Rs 548 crore investment is a bold move that reinforces India's commitment to space exploration.
With the successful completion of the Ax-4 mission, India is now one step closer to achieving its long-term goal of sending astronauts to space through its own Gaganyaan programme.
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