Astronaut Shubhanshu Shukla Remembers Peggy Whitson’s Parting Gift from Axiom Mission

Group Captain Shubhanshu Shukla shared insights from his 400-km journey to the International Space Station (ISS) at a Friday event, highlighting lessons in teamwork, resilience, and the importance of representation. He recalled a memorable interaction with mission commander Peggy Whitson, noting that while his experience as an Air Force pilot made handling spacecraft machinery natural, Whitson’s parting gift left a lasting impression. She gave him a National Geographic magazine featuring her photo on the cover, with a note saying, “I know you are a fighter pilot, but I took you higher and faster,” celebrating his journey and her mentorship.