Group Captain Shubhanshu Shukla has released a new book titled "The Second Orbit" detailing his experiences as a space traveler [1].
The memoir arrives as India accelerates its ambitions to become a leading space power, using Shukla's personal narrative to bridge the gap between complex orbital mechanics and public understanding. By sharing the human side of spaceflight, the author aims to inspire a new generation of scientists and engineers within the country.
Shukla, who is India's second astronaut to travel to space [1], used the platform of the New Delhi World Book Fair 2026 to discuss the intersection of exploration and education [4]. He said the psychological and physical challenges of space are often overshadowed by the technical specifications of the missions.
During recent interviews, Shukla detailed the roadmap for the Indian space program. He said that the upcoming Gaganyaan mission remains a critical milestone for the nation's capabilities [2]. Beyond the immediate goals of crewed flight, the astronaut outlined a broader vision for the coming years.
India's space plans for the next decade include the establishment of a dedicated space station, and the execution of human missions to the Moon [5]. These goals represent a significant escalation in the scale of the Indian space agency's operations—moving from short-term orbital flights to long-term lunar habitation.
Shukla described his time in orbit as a transformative experience. He spoke to children at the book fair about the sensation of weightlessness and the perspective gained from viewing Earth from above [4]. He said the book serves as a record of those experiences and a guide for those who wish to understand the rigors of astronaut training.
By documenting the journey of the second Indian astronaut, the book provides a comparative look at how the nation's space program has evolved since its first human flight. Shukla said that science communication is the only way to ensure the public remains invested in the high costs and risks associated with deep-space exploration [1].
“India's space plans for the next decade include a space station and human missions to the Moon.”
The publication of this memoir and the accompanying public outreach indicate that India is shifting from a phase of technical proof-of-concept to a phase of national branding. By leveraging the celebrity of its astronauts, the government is building the public mandate necessary to fund the massive infrastructure required for a lunar colony and a permanent space station.
