Brief by Shorts91 Newsdesk / 06:08am on 26 Jan 2026,Monday Science
Group Captain Shubhanshu Shukla received the Ashoka Chakra, India's highest peacetime gallantry award, from the President on Republic Day for extraordinary courage during a high-risk space mission aboard a space station. The citation emphasized exceptional composure under extreme conditions and unwavering commitment where minor errors prove fatal. This rare recognition marks a significant milestone as the Ashoka Chakra, traditionally associated with counter-terrorism and disaster response, is awarded for spaceflight operations. The accomplished test pilot demonstrated exceptional leadership and problem-solving skills during complex orbital operations with unforeseen challenges. Group Captain P Balakrishnan Nair, backup crew for the Axiom-4 mission, received the Kirti Chakra. The awards signal space as a new frontier of national service.
