Shubhanshu Shukla answers 5 questions by students about space
Asked about how one sleeps in space, Shukla replied, "It is fun actually because in space there is no floor and no ceiling. So if you were to come and visit the station (ISS), you would find someone sleeping on the walls, someone on the ceiling."He added, "It is so easy to float up and tie yourself to the ceiling. The challenge is to be found at the same place where you slept at night and to ensure that we tie our sleeping bags to ensure we don't float away to some other place."2. WHAT DO THEY EAT IN SPACE?Food in space is pre-packed, but it is also a source of joy. "Different food items are laid down and astronauts get to taste all of those and whatever they prefer is packed," Shukla explained.He even shared that he had carried Indian sweets with him. "I had carried desserts like Gazar Ka Halwa, Moong Dal Ka Halwa and Aam Ras with me to space."3. HOW DOES SPACE AFFECT THE BODY?On the effects of microgravity, Shukla said, "On Earth, we always have loading on our body due to gravity and the muscles are always utilised while walking, sitting, or even standing. But that is not the case in microgravity, as one suffers muscle loss. It is very important for astronauts to keep exercising."He described how astronauts exercise: "There is a bicycle that we exercise on. Interestingly, there is no seat on the cycle because in microgravity, you are floating. So you just lock on to the pedals, tie yourself to the belt and then you start exercising."He also added, "There is also an exercise machine in which you can do all forms of exercises."4. HOW DO ASTRONAUTS MANAGE THEIR MENTAL HEALTH?Asked about mental well-being in space, Shukla said modern technology helps them stay connected. "It helps a lot," he said, referring to the ability to speak with family and friends.5. WHAT IS THE MOST ENJOYABLE PART OF BEING IN SPACE?advertisementWhen asked what astronauts enjoy most, Shukla said, "One thing that astronauts look forward to is to go out and gaze into space and take a good view of the Earth -- it is very beautiful."He also described his journey on Axiom Mission 4, which launched from the Kennedy Space Centre in Florida on June 25, as 'amazing' and 'dynamic.'Shukla acknowledged that space adaptation takes time. "My body has now kind of adapted to microgravity, but when I return to Earth, my body would have to readapt to gravity. This is a challenge again, and this adaptation will be required on re-entering Earth."Students walked away inspired by both Shukla and Pratap. One student summed it up: "It was all so exciting. Group Captain Shubhanshu explained the varied nuances, challenges, and excitement of space travel, while Wing Commander Pratap motivated us to devote ourselves to science."- EndsTune InMust Watch
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Time of India
3 hours ago
- Time of India
Ax-4: Students go orbital with Shux in live chat
1 2 Lucknow: From floating dinners to ceiling-less sleep, students at City Montessori School, Lucknow — alma mater of astronaut Shubhanshu Shukla — were treated to a rare window into life aboard the International Space Station (ISS) during a live interaction on Thursday. Speaking from orbit as part of Isro's Vidyarthi Samvad programme, Shukla — the first Indian aboard the ISS — shared anecdotes from his Axiom-4 mission journey. "The launch was powerful and unforgettable," he said, before delving into everyday life in microgravity. "There's no up or down here. We sleep secured inside sleeping bags. Otherwise, we might drift into another module! Meals, too, are tailored for space, with astronauts pre-selecting dishes they enjoy. We test different foods before launch — whatever we like, gets packed," Shukla said. Curious minds also asked about health in orbit. "We carry a medical kit and are trained to handle small issues," Shukla assured. Addressing the physical toll of space, he said: "In weightlessness, muscles weaken fast. So, we work out daily — cycling while floating and using resistance machines." Shukla's description of Earth from above drew audible gasps from the audience. "It's beautiful," he said. Also present was Gaganyaan astronaut-designate Group Captain Angad Pratap, who urged students to chase careers in science and space. "India's space future is bright. You could be the next to launch," he said, inspiring wide-eyed applause. In a separate 10-minute communication, a group of 70 students got lucky on Friday as they tuned into a HAM radio session with Shukla, who spoke to them from the ISS. At the Isro's UR Rao Satellite Centre (URSC) in Bengaluru, Shukla spoke to them about life on the ISS, the travel there, and how excited he was about his scientific experiments. He also told them that he was excited about his research work, especially those involving stem cells. The URSC communication was facilitated through the global Amateur Radio on the International Space Station (ARISS) initiative. Though 20 questions were shortlisted for Shukla, only a handful could be asked owing to time constraints. Isro did not broadcast the interaction live, but several amateur (HAM) radio operators worldwide managed to capture parts of the downlink, albeit with patchy audio. In one audible section, Shukla described the docking: "...The entire process of how the capsule approaches the station and then positions itself right in line with the docking port, and thereafter goes ahead and docks into the port... It was a very, very exciting moment for me." While details of all 70 students were not made available publicly, Mysuru-based Excel Public School said six of their licenced student HAM operators — Bhuvan PM (call sign: VU2NQH), Namasyu A (VU3IHV), Tanish Tejaswi MS (VU2ITM), Pranav CN (VU3IIC), Vishruth R (VU3IIB), and Sanat Raj G (VU3IHU) — established radio contact using ARISS ground station infrastructure. "This is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to apply what we've learnt in real time," said a statement from the students, who were in Bengaluru for the interaction. The school's HAM club (VU2TQA), active since 2023, does satellite tracking, antenna building and ISS signal decoding. Recognised as an Isro Space Tutor, Excel regularly conducts astronomy outreach. "It's a proud moment for our students and for India," said Mathew KG, the principal.
NDTV
4 hours ago
- NDTV
Exclusive - Biology Beyond Earth: How Space Station Is Shaping Human Life in Space
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A Living Lab in Orbit "The first few years were about building the station," Dr Bhattacharya explained. "But for the last 15 to 20 years, we've been doing very active science as an international community." That science spans a wide range of biological disciplines. Researchers studied how spaceflight affects muscle loss, bone density, cardiovascular health, immune function, and even kidney-stone formation. These studies are essential because space is an extreme microgravity environment, radiation and isolation take a toll on the human body. And yet, astronauts have not only survived but thrived. "They go fit and come back fit," said Dr. Bhattacharya. "But that's because they're some of the fittest people on Earth and follow strict exercise and diet regimens." The Brain in Space One of the most fascinating areas of research has been the effect of spaceflight on the brain. Dr Bhattacharya's team used fruit flies, Drosophila, as a model organism to study neurological changes. "We found that in space, there were definite effects on the brain," she said. To test whether these effects could be mitigated, her team created artificial gravity using a centrifuge aboard the ISS. "We were able to partially reverse some of the defects we saw in the nervous system," she noted. This has major implications for future missions, especially those lasting years, such as a round trip to Mars. Preparing for Mars A journey to Mars could take six to nine months one way, with astronauts staying for several months before returning. That means humans will need to survive in deep space for up to two years, facing elevated radiation and reduced gravity. "The ISS has taught us a lot about microgravity," Dr Bhattacharya said. "But the Moon has one-sixth Earth's gravity, and Mars has one-third. We need to understand how partial gravity affects biology." A recent collaboration between NASA and the Japanese Space Agency used mice to study biological changes under different gravity levels-Earth, Moon, Mars, and microgravity. "It was a really interesting experiment," she said, adding that "because it helped identify thresholds where certain biological systems begin to change." Plants in Space: More Than Just Food Beyond human biology, the ISS has also become a greenhouse in orbit. Astronauts have successfully grown lettuce, tomatoes, and other crops. "Some of the tomatoes were very well appreciated by the crew," Dr. Bhattacharya said. Plant habitats on the ISS are not just functional; they are emotional anchors. "They're well-lit, so when crew members celebrate birthdays or holidays, they often gather near the plants. It's like the beautiful garden in space." These experiments are crucial for future missions, where astronauts will need to grow their food. They also help scientists understand how plants respond to microgravity, which could lead to agricultural innovations back on Earth. The Microbial Frontier Space is also a frontier for microbiology. Dr Bhattacharya's team studied how bacteria behave in space and found that some, like Serratia marcescens, became more virulent after spaceflight. "They killed fruit flies faster than bacteria that hadn't gone to space," she said. Interestingly, this increased pathogenicity disappeared when the bacteria were grown again on Earth. "We wanted to understand the molecular biology behind that change and what made them more dangerous in space," she explained. "These enclosed environments give us insights into microbial ecosystems, not just in space but also in places like submarines or hospitals on Earth," Dr Bhattacharya said. Astronauts as Test Subjects Over 600 astronauts have flown to space, many of them to the ISS. Their bodies have become invaluable data sources. "We've grown multiple generations of fruit flies, Caenorhabditis elegans, and even plants in space," Dr. Bhattacharya said, adding that "Now we're doing longer and longer experiments." One of the most exciting upcoming studies involves MRI scans of astronauts' brains before and after spaceflight, as part of the Axiom 4 mission. "Given what we've seen in fruit flies, I'm very interested to see what the human data shows," she said. The End of an Era, and the Start of Another The ISS is expected to be retired by 2031. But Dr Bhattacharya is optimistic. "I celebrate what the ISS has given us," she said. "But I'm also looking forward to the next platform." That next step could be a commercial space, perhaps Axiom, Haven, or VAST. China already has its space station, and India is planning one too. "The more platforms we have in space, the more science we can do as a global community," she said. 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Time of India
4 hours ago
- Time of India
Shubhanshu's SpaceTime moment: Astronaut gives cosmic tour to kin
Lucknow: In his first video interaction with his family after reaching the International Space Station, astronaut shared the excitement and intrigues of his cosmic sojourn and showed them a sunrise from space. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now "He showed us the sunrise from the spacecraft window, his sleeping spot, and the food he eats. I feel so proud that my son has reached this milestone. It's a beautiful feeling," said a beaming Asha Shukla. Shubhanshu spoke to his parents and sisters Shukla over a video call setup through laptop, making it a virtual gathering through tele bridge connection. "It was a sunrise like no other, seen not from a hilltop or a plane, but from miles away above the Earth. Watching it from the window of the spacecraft was something he wanted to share with us. It was not just a view, it was a moment that made us realise how far he has gone, how much he has achieved, and how connected we still are despite the distance. It's a feeling I cannot put into words, but it fills us with pride and wonder," said his father Shambhu Dayal Shukla. "Initially, he had some problems adjusting, but now he seems completely fine. He told us about all the important work he's doing. We never imagined our son would reach such heights. We feel blessed," added Shambhu Dayal. The Lucknow boy gave his family a tour of the space station. "It was absolutely mesmerizing. We were awe-struck seeing Earth's curved horizon, its peripheral glow, and that deep, rich blue shade you just cannot imagine until you see it. It was not just a view, it was this emotional moment of realising his success. We are happy to see he is healthy," said his sister Shuchi Mishra. The family members said they are eagerly waiting for his return. Shubhanshu, an alumnus of City Montessori School, is the second Indian astronaut after Rakesh Sharma to go in space.
