India’s first astronaut Rakesh Sharma and astronaut-designate Shubhanshu Shukla have outlined how the path to space travel is changing, emphasising that aspiring astronauts are no longer required to come exclusively from fighter pilot or military aviation backgrounds. Speaking during India Climate Week, the two spacefarers said the future of human spaceflight will increasingly depend on scientists, engineers, and sustainability-focused professionals as missions become more complex and long-term.
Rakesh Sharma, who flew aboard the Soviet Soyuz spacecraft in 1984, explained that anyone who travels beyond 100 kilometres above Earth’s surface qualifies as an astronaut, challenging the long-standing perception that test pilots are the only candidates suited for space missions. He noted that earlier missions relied heavily on highly trained pilots due to manual spacecraft operations, but advancing automation is gradually shifting the focus toward specialised expertise. According to him, future lunar and planetary missions will require environmental engineers, material scientists, habitat designers, and researchers capable of supporting long-duration human presence in space.
He added that as spacecraft systems become more automated, cockpit-centred roles may diminish while scientific and technical capabilities grow more important. Students with strong academic foundations in science, analytical thinking, and a genuine interest in exploration will find expanding opportunities in human spaceflight programmes in the coming decades.
Shubhanshu Shukla echoed these views, highlighting India’s growing ambitions under the Indian Space Research Organisation. Referring to the upcoming Gaganyaan mission, which aims to send Indian astronauts into space and safely return them to Earth, he said the next generation of astronauts could emerge from today’s classrooms as India moves toward future plans that include a space station and possible lunar missions.
Shukla also stressed that modern astronaut training has become deeply international in nature. Drawing from his own experience of training in multiple countries, he noted that contemporary space missions are driven more by global cooperation than geopolitical competition, requiring astronauts to work effectively within multinational teams and collaborative research environments.
Beyond professional qualifications, both astronauts emphasised the importance of mindset and responsibility. Shukla described life aboard spacecraft as highly disciplined and resource-efficient, where water recycling and waste minimisation are essential for survival, demonstrating how sustainable living practices can be applied on Earth. Sharma extended this idea further, arguing that humanity must address environmental degradation and inequality before attempting large-scale space colonisation. From the perspective of space, he said, political borders disappear while environmental damage becomes starkly visible, underscoring the need for sustainable development and equitable resource distribution as humanity prepares for deeper exploration beyond Earth.
