Bengaluru shines brightest from space: astronaut Shubhanshu Shukla

Bengaluru, Earth’s brightest city from space, drives India’s Gaganyaan mission with startups and deep-tech funding

Bengaluru has been described as the brightest city on Earth when viewed from space, a distinction that reflects its growing importance in India’s technological journey. The observation was shared by astronaut and IAF Group Captain Shubhanshu Shukla during the Bengaluru Tech Summit, where he outlined the immense challenges and opportunities tied to India’s upcoming human spaceflight programme, Gaganyaan. 

Shukla, who recently piloted the Axiom Mission-4 to the International Space Station, highlighted the extreme physical demands of space travel, from enduring crushing G-forces during ascent to adapting to the disorienting effects of microgravity. His experiences underscored the need for advanced engineering solutions in capsule design, life-support systems, and human factors technology. 

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Bengaluru’s role as a hub of innovation was central to his message. With more than 300 space startups already working on propulsion, materials, electronics, and crew-support systems, the city is positioned at the forefront of India’s space ambitions. This momentum was further reinforced at the summit’s Future Makers Conclave, where the Karnataka government and venture capital firms announced Rs 400 crore in funding for deep-tech enterprises, drawing over 11,000 participants.  

As India advances toward its first human spaceflight, Bengaluru stands out not only as the nation’s brightest city from orbit but also as the epicenter of its leap into the future.