From Muscle Health Research To Gajar Halwa In Space: Shubhanshu Shukla On Life Aboard ISS
Shubhanshu Shukla shared that he brought three types of Indian food developed by ISRO in collaboration with DRDO.
Group Captain Shubhanshu Shukla described his experience aboard the International Space Station as both challenging and exhilarating. He said, 'The body has to adapt to an entirely new environment in microgravity, which is a learning process in itself." Despite the physical adjustments, he emphasized the thrill of spaceflight, calling the entire experience 'very exciting." One of the most memorable moments for him was looking down at Earth from space- a view he described as truly breathtaking.
Adding a personal and cultural touch to the mission, Shubhanshu Shukla shared that he brought three types of Indian food developed by ISRO in collaboration with DRDO. Among them were aamras and gajar ka halwa, which, he shared, were a big hit aboard the station. 'Everybody loved the food," he said with pride.
Shubhanshu Shukla made history by becoming the first Indian to reach the International Space Station (ISS), as part of Axiom Space's private astronaut mission, Axiom Mission 4. Launched on June 25, the mission includes three other astronauts from the US, Poland and Hungary and joins seven members of Expedition 73 aboard the ISS. Together, the crew is conducting over 60 experiments over a 14-day stay, focusing on biological research, technology testing and STEM outreach.
IAF Group Captain Shukla is leading a critical study on muscle health in microgravity- research that holds significant implications for long-duration space travel and for treating muscle loss conditions on Earth.
During their 14-day stay aboard the ISS, the Axiom-4 crew will carry out approximately 60 scientific experiments and commercial activities in microgravity, representing the interests of 31 countries- including the US, India, Poland, Hungary, Saudi Arabia, Brazil, Nigeria, the UAE and several European nations. India, through the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO), has contributed seven carefully curated experiments to the mission.
First Published:
July 04, 2025, 16:07 IST
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