Studying microalgae, muscle loss in microgravity: Shubhanshu Shukla tells PM Modi
Shukla, who is the second Indian to travel to space after Rakesh Sharma, reached the International Space Station on Thursday along with three other astronauts.
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Time of India
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- Time of India
'Gajar Ka Halwa In Zero Gravity': PM Modi's Fun Chat With Shubhanshu Shukla
During a live interaction from the International Space Station, Group Captain Shubhanshu Shukla responded to Prime Minister Narendra Modi's light-hearted question about sharing 'gajar ka halwa' with his teammates. Shukla revealed that he brought along 'gajar ka halwa', 'moong dal ka halwa', and 'aam ras' to ISS. He told PM Modi that he wanted everyone from other countries on the mission to enjoy the rich flavors of Indian cuisine. #shubhanshushukla #pmmodi #iss #gajarkahalwa #moongdalhalwa #aamras #indianfoodinspace #axiom4 #internationalspacestation #indianastronaut #spacemissionindia #gaganyaan #zerogravity #astronautlife #indiainspace #spaceexploration #isro #nasa #toi #toibharat Read More
The Hindu
2 hours ago
- The Hindu
Axiom-4 mission: Group Captain Shubhanshu Shukla commences research activities aboard ISS
Group Captain Shubhanshu Shukla, who is aboard the International Space Station (ISS) has commenced research activities at the orbiting laboratory According to Axiom Space the crew members are fully immersed in their mission aboard the ISS having transitioned smoothly from arrival protocols to hands-on research. Axiom Space said that Shux (Group Captain Shukla mission call sign) spent time in the Life Sciences Glovebox (LSG) working on the Myogenesis experiment. 'This study aims to uncover the biological pathways behind skeletal muscle degradation in space—a major challenge for astronauts. By identifying these mechanisms, researchers hope to develop targeted therapies that could not only protect space travelers but also aid people suffering from muscle-degenerative diseases on Earth,' Axion Space said. ISRO has shortlisted seven microgravity research experiments proposed by Indian (PIs) from various national R&D laboratories and academic institutions which Group Captain Shukla would be conducting during his 14-day stay at the ISS. Myogenesis is one of the them which has been proposed by the Bengaluru based Institute of Stem Cell Science and Regenerative Medicine (InStem). ISRO has said the experience gained through this effort in implementation of the seven experiments is expected to nurture a microgravity research ecosystem in India resulting in the induction of advanced microgravity experiments in various disciplines in the Indian space programme. In addition to the seven experiments ISRO and NASA will also be participating in five joint science investigations and two in-orbit STEM (science, technology, engineering, and mathematics) demonstrations. Axiom said that the crew initiated the Cerebral Hemodynamics study, completing the first session after installing the necessary software. 'Using ultrasound technology, this research explores how blood circulates in the brain under microgravity conditions. The findings could improve our understanding of cardiovascular adaptation in space and inform medical diagnostics and treatments for conditions like stroke and hypertension on Earth,' it said. The Axiom-4 mission research complement includes around 60 scientific studies and activities representing 31 countries, including the U.S., India, Poland, Hungary, Saudi Arabia, Brazil, Nigeria, UAE, and nations across Europe.
NDTV
2 hours ago
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"Saare Jahan Se" To "Bharat Mata Ki Jai": 2 PMs, 2 Astronauts 41 Years Apart
New Delhi: Indian astronaut Shubhanshu Shukla, speaking from the International Space Station (ISS), looked down upon the subcontinent and said, " Jab pehli baar Bharat ko dekha, Bharat sach mein bohat bhavya dikhta hain." (When I first saw India, it looked truly grand.) It sent goosebumps down the spines of a billion citizens. More than that, it echoed across four decades of Indian space history. Because India had heard something like it before. Back in 1984, Wing Commander Rakesh Sharma, the first Indian in space, had answered Prime Minister Indira Gandhi's now-historic question, " Upar se Bharat kaisa dikhta hai aapko?" (How does India look from up there?) with words that would etch themselves into the Indian psyche forever. " Saare Jahan Se Achcha."(Better than the entire world.) Rakesh Sharma And Indira Gandhi In April 1984, aboard the Soviet space station Salyut 7, Rakesh Sharma became the first Indian to travel to space as part of a joint Indo-Soviet mission. When Indira Gandhi asked how the view from space was, Mr Sharma's reply wasn't rehearsed. " Ji main bina jhijhak ke keh sakta hu, saare jahan se accha." (I can say this without hesitation, 'better than the whole world.) He had recited the line from Allama Iqbal's famous patriotic song. The moment became a historical bookmark in India's post-Independence imagination. Every schoolchild learned about it. Every aspiring scientist saw new horizons. Shubhanshu Shukla And Narendra Modi Fast forward to June 2025. The world has changed. So has India. No longer only a spacefaring hopeful, India is now building its own human spaceflight programme, planning its Bhartiya Antariksha Station, and setting its sights on the Moon. And now, aboard the ISS, Group Captain Shubhanshu Shukla, a 39-year-old Indian Air Force pilot, became the first Indian to reach the ISS. In an 18-minute video call with Prime Minister Narendra Modi, he reflected on the moment that had brought him there. "From here, you don't see borders. You see one Earth," Mr Shukla told PM Modi. "India looks huge from here, bigger than on any map." PM Modi said, "Today you are farthest from the motherland but closest to the hearts of 140 crore Indians." The two discussed everything from microgravity to meditation. Shukla described how small tasks like drinking water or sleeping become difficult. He had to tie his feet to keep from drifting during their call. There were jokes too, about carrot and moong dal halwa floating in microgravity, shared among international colleagues aboard the station. "Everyone liked it very much," Mr Shukla said. "They want to visit India someday." At last, Mr Shukla declared, "This is not just my achievement. This is a collective leap for our country." And ended with, " Bharat Mata ki Jai." Now, Shubhanshu Shukla floats in the vast stillness of orbit, with the Tiranga affixed beside him.
