Shubhanshu Shukla: From Fighter Cockpit To Low Earth Orbit—With Omega On His Wrist

18 Jul, 2025

Shubhanshu Shukla: From Fighter Cockpit To Low Earth Orbit—With Omega On His Wrist

The Early Years Of Shubanshu Shukla

Shubhanshu Shukla was born and raised in Lucknow, the capital city of Uttar Pradesh, India. A student of Kendriya Vidyalaya, he showed early promise in both academics and athletics, eventually securing admission into the National Defense Academy—India’s elite military training institution. Commissioned into the Indian Air Force in 2004, Shukla trained as a fighter pilot and went on to fly two of the most demanding aircraft in India’s arsenal: the MiG-21 and the Su-30MKI. Over the course of two decades, he logged more than 2,000 hours of flight time and served in multiple frontline squadrons. He was known among peers for his precision flying, clarity in mission planning, and calm cockpit presence.

From Fighter Pilot To Astronaut: The Axiom 4 Mission

In 2023, Shubhanshu Shukla was selected for Axiom Mission 4 (Ax-4)—the fourth private astronaut mission to the International Space Station, launched by Axiom Space in collaboration with NASA and SpaceX. The mission lifted off from Kennedy Space Center aboard a SpaceX Falcon 9, with Shukla flying alongside veteran astronaut Peggy Whitson (Commander), John Shoffner (Pilot), and Alper Gezeravcı, the first astronaut from Türkiye.

For Shukla, a decorated Indian Air Force pilot, the mission represented more than personal achievement as it marked India’s growing stake in human spaceflight. Over 14 days aboard the ISS, he conducted over 60 experiments across life sciences, microgravity research, and biotechnology. Ax-4 also aligned with ISRO’s long-term ambitions, supporting plans for a national space station by 2035 and a crewed lunar mission by 2040.

Mission-Ready: Omega Timepieces Join Shukla In Orbit

While the focus remained firmly on science and international cooperation, horological observers noticed another detail: Shukla was spotted wearing not one but two Omega watches—both purpose-built for space travel. His choice underscores the brand’s longstanding connection with extra-terrestrial exploration and reinforces Omega’s status as the tool of choice for astronauts worldwide.

Omega Speedmaster Moonwatch Professional

No watch is more closely associated with spaceflight than the Moonwatch. Certified by NASA in 1965 for all manned missions and famously worn during the Apollo 11 moon landing in 1969, the Omega Speedmaster Professional remains the only watch flight-qualified for EVA (extravehicular activity). Shukla’s reference features a classic black step dial, three-register chronograph layout, and the signature dot-over-ninety bezel. Inside, the caliber 3861 offers Master Chronometer certification with magnetic resistance up to 15,000 gauss and a 50-hour power reserve. It’s a deliberate nod to the brand’s legacy, updated for the rigors of 21st-century space travel.

Reference: 310.30.42.50.01.002
Movement: Manual-winding Co-Axial Master Chronometer Calibre 3861
Case: 42mm stainless steel
Bracelet: Stainless steel
Functions: Chronograph, Small Seconds, Tachymeter

Omega Speedmaster Skywalker X‑33

Developed in collaboration with the European Space Agency, the Skywalker X‑33 is engineered specifically for astronauts and mission-critical use. It features both analogue and digital displays, offering unmatched functionality in orbit. The lightweight titanium case houses a thermo-compensated quartz movement with a highly legible LCD display, operable even in zero gravity. For mission tracking, the MET and PET functions are indispensable, allowing astronauts to synchronize task windows with orbital timing. The watch is flight-qualified by ESA and used by astronauts aboard the ISS, a tool watch in the truest sense.

Reference: 318.90.45.79.01.001
Movement: Quartz Calibre 5619
Case: 45mm grade 2 titanium
Bracelet: Titanium
Functions: Multiple time zones, MET (Mission Elapsed Time), PET (Phase Elapsed Time), alarms, chronograph, countdown, perpetual calendar

From The Cockpit To The Cosmos: Omega Stays Mission-Ready

For Shukla, the choice of Omega wasn’t symbolic but practical. Both the Moonwatch and the Skywalker X‑33 are tested under the same high-stress environments astronauts routinely endure: extreme temperatures, zero atmosphere, vibration, G-forces, and radiation. In selecting these models, Shukla joined a lineage of professionals who rely on precision timekeeping not for vanity, but for survival. From the cosmodrome to the ISS, Shubhanshu Shukla’s mission signaled India’s growing presence in space. And on his wrist, Omega once again proved it belongs there.

Shubhanshu Shukla is a Wing Commander in the Indian Air Force and became the first Indian to live and work aboard the International Space Station during Axiom Space’s fourth private mission in June 2025.

Shubhanshu Shukla wore the Omega Speedmaster Moonwatch Professional and the Omega Speedmaster Skywalker X‑33—both purpose-built for space missions and trusted by astronauts worldwide.

The Omega Speedmaster Moonwatch was flight-qualified by NASA in 1965 and is the only watch certified for EVA (spacewalks). Its reliability and endurance make it a staple in manned spaceflight.

Designed in collaboration with the European Space Agency, the Omega Skywalker X‑33 features advanced digital and analogue functions like MET, PET, alarms, and multiple time zones—ideal for orbital operations.

His participation in Axiom 4 marks a pivotal step for India’s manned spaceflight efforts, supporting ISRO’s goals of building a national space station by 2035 and conducting a crewed lunar mission by 2040.