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NDTV
30 minutes ago
- Science
- NDTV
In Conversation With PM Modi, Shubhanshu Shukla Shares How Life Is On ISS
Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday spoke to Group Captain Shubhanshu Shukla of the Indian Air Force - the man who created history earlier this week by becoming the first Indian to enter the International Space Station (ISS). "Today, you are away from our motherland, but you are the closest to the hearts of naam mein bhi shubh hai aur aapki yatra naye yug ka shubharambh bhi hai," PM Modi told the Indian astronaut. Answering the Prime Minister, the astronaut said it is "not my journey alone but also our country's". Mr Shukla and three other astronauts entered the orbital laboratory at ISS to warm hugs and handshakes after the docking of their spacecraft at the end of a 28-hour journey around the Earth. "Jai Hind Bharat" was the message from Mr Shukla, 39, after entering the ISS. He is also the second Indian to go to space in 41 years and the first since Rakesh Sharma's eight-day sojourn in 1984. "With your love and blessings, I have reached the International Space Station. It looks easy to stand here, but my head is a little heavy, facing some difficulty; but these are minor issues," he said in brief remarks in Hindi at the formal welcome ceremony at the ISS. "We will get used to it. This is the first step of this journey," he added. A live video link from the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) showed the four-member multi-nation crew emerging from the Dragon spacecraft named 'Grace', less than two hours after the sequence of docking with the ISS was completed at 4.15 pm IST. The spacecraft was put into a low-earth orbit by SpaceX's Falcon rocket that was launched from NASA's Kennedy Space Centre in Florida at 12.01 pm on Wednesday. The seven-member space station crew, who are part of Expedition 73, welcomed Axiom-4 mission commander Peggy Whitson, as she floated into the station soon after the hatch-opening procedures were completed at 5:44 pm. Whitson, a veteran astronaut, floated into the space station at 5:53 pm followed by Mr Shukla, the mission pilot, with Polish engineer Slawosz Uznanski-Wisniewski, a mission specialist and a European Space Agency project astronaut, and Hungary's Tibor Kapu, a mechanical engineer and the mission specialist, close behind. Ms Whitson handed out astronaut pins to Mr Shukla, Wisniewski and Kapu after they marked their maiden voyage to space. "I am astronaut 634. It is a privilege to be here," Mr Shukla said. Mr Shukla said over the next 14 days, he and the other astronauts will conduct scientific experiments and interact with people on Earth. "This is also a phase of India's space journey. I will keep talking to you. Let us make this journey exciting. I am carrying the tiranga and I am carrying all of you with me. The next 14 days will be exciting," he said. As the Dragon spacecraft circled the Earth before the completion of docking with the ISS, Mr Shukla also shared his experience via a videolink from the capsule to say he was learning to live in microgravity conditions "like a baby" and it was an amazing experience to float in vacuum.
Mint
an hour ago
- Science
- Mint
PM Modi interacts with astronaut Shubhanshu Shukla aboard International Space Station
Prime Minister Narendra Modi interacted with Group Captain Shubhanshu Shukla, the 39-year-old Indian Air Force pilot turned astronaut, who is aboard the Axiom-4 mission at the International Space Station (ISS). Astronaut Shukla and his team will carry out scientific tasks over the next 14 days in the ISS. Earlier in the day, Shukla likened his experience in space to that of a child who isn't "feeling well, and learning to eat and walk into the ISS. "I was not feeling well, and I was very sleepy when we were launched into the vacuum. Learning how to walk and eat in space like a child," Shukla had said.
India.com
5 hours ago
- Business
- India.com
Big tension for China, Pakistan as India's Tejas to get..., US ready to share technology for....
Big tension for China, Pakistan as India's Tejas to get…, US ready to share technology for… The world has witnessed the prowess of India during Operation Sindoor. The country's fighter jets, drones, and missiles created havoc in Pakistani cities. During the operation, the Indian Air Force's fighter jets destroyed terrorist hideouts in Pakistan and Pakistan Occupied Kashmir (PoK). Recent conflicts across the world have proved the importance of fighter jets and drones. Considering this, New Delhi is also focusing on strengthening its Air Force. In a major development, India's state-owned company Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) is going to sign a major deal with U.S. defence company General Electric (GE) Aerospace. As per the deal, both the companies will jointly manufacture fighter aircraft engines in India. The engines will be used in new fighter jets such as Tejas. This development will surely give a headache to neighbouring Pakistan and China. How PM Modi's Masterstroke Creates Tension In China, Pakistan? HAL Chairman and Managing Director DK Sunil said that American engines will be used in the latest fighter jets. The idea to manufacture GE's F-414 engine in India was pitched during Prime Minister Narendra Modi's visit to the US in 2023. However, the talks regarding this went on a cold bag for years. Now, the talks have resumed and the deal will soon be finalised. What Is The Deal? Giving details, Sunil stated that talks with GE have been completed and both sides have agreed on the transfer of 80 percent technology. It is expected that the agreement between the companies will be completed by the next financial year. What Is The F-414 Engine? GE Aerospace's F414 is a 22,000-pound-thrust afterburning turbofan engine is an enhanced version of the F404. The F414 offers 35 percent power increase over its predecessor and is valued for its reliability and maintainability. It is currently used in several light fighter jets. How Many New Tejas Will Be Included In Indian Air Force? The IAF is going to buy around 180 Tejas Mk-1A jets. The deal will cost around Rs 1.15 lakh crore. These new fighter planes will replace the MiG-21 aircraft in the IAF fleet. How Many Countries Have The Technology Of Fighter Jet Engine? Notably, THERE are only four countries in the world that have the technology to make fighter jet engines. These countries include America, Russia, Britain and France. If this deal is finalised, India's will also join the club.
NDTV
5 hours ago
- Health
- NDTV
Shubhanshu Shukla "Not Feeling Well" In ISS: Effect Of Spaceflight On Body
New Delhi: Group Captain Shubhanshu Shukla, the 39-year-old Indian Air Force pilot turned astronaut, reminisced on the launch in his first call from space. He has described the experience as "indescribable." Astronaut Shukla and his team will perform scientific tasks for the next 14 days in the International Space Station (ISS). Mr Shukla also said, "I was not feeling well, and I was very sleepy when we were launched into the vacuum. Learning how to walk and eat in space like a child." The #Ax4 crew—commander Peggy Whitson, @ISRO astronaut Shubhanshu Shukla, @ESA astronaut Sławosz Uznański-Wiśniewski, and mission specialist Tibor Kapu—emerges from the Dragon spacecraft and gets their first look at their home in low Earth orbit. — NASA (@NASA) June 26, 2025 Effect of Spaceflight and Zero Gravity on Human Body NASA's Human Research Program (HRP) has been researching the effects of space travel on the human body for over 50 years. Knowing how spaceflight affects people is important when astronauts travel from the low-Earth orbit of the International Space Station to deep space locations on and around the Moon and beyond. A Mars expedition will expose astronauts to three distinct gravitational conditions. Crews living and working on Mars will experience gravity that is about one-third that of Earth. Crews will be weightless for the six-month journey between the planets. Changing from one gravity field to another is more difficult than it seems. Space motion sickness affects several crew members, making it difficult for them to move, balance, coordinate their hand-eye and head-eye movements, and maintain spatial orientation. After returning home, personnel will eventually need to adjust to Earth's gravity. According to NASA, weight-bearing bones lose between 1 per cent and 1.5 per cent of their mineral density each month while in space, yet the human body is not affected by Earth's gravity. Rehabilitation may not fully restore bone loss after returning to Earth, but their risk of fracture is reduced. In addition, the fluids in the body move upward towards the head under microgravity, which could strain the eyes and impair eyesight. Crews may have a higher risk of kidney stones if prophylactic or countermeasures are not taken because of dehydration and increased calcium excretion from their bones. Spinal ultrasounds are used to track back pain, which some astronauts reported experiencing while in space. Bone density and muscle size are assessed for deterioration both before and following spaceflight using MRI and high-resolution imaging techniques. Periodically, crew members assess their fitness levels to assist researchers in better understanding how spaceflight can cause a deterioration in heart function. Moreover, astronauts lose muscle mass in microgravity more quickly than they would on Earth if they fail to adhere to a healthy diet and exercise regimen. Astronaut Shubhanshu Shukla and three other astronauts are on the Axiom Mission 4, which was launched from Florida. The space mission is scheduled to run for 14 days.
Time of India
7 hours ago
- Science
- Time of India
5 powerful lessons students can learn from Shubhanshu Shukla's remarkable journey
5 powerful lessons students can learn from Subhanshu Shukla's remarkable journey What drives someone to dream of space—not metaphorically, but literally? Group Captain Shubhanshu Shukla, an Indian Air Force pilot turned astronaut, recently created history by becoming the first Indian to live aboard the International Space Station (ISS) for 14 days as part of NASA 's Axiom Mission-4 (Ax-4). His journey from a school in Lucknow to orbiting Earth is not just the stuff of headlines—it's a powerful real-life masterclass for students in ambition, resilience, and purpose. Here's a deep dive into his remarkable path and the five transformative lessons every student can take from it. 1. Believe in your dream, even if no one else does Shubhanshu was born in Lucknow and studied at City Montessori School, known for its academic rigor. While others celebrated birthdays and festivals, he was already setting his sights sky-high. Inspired by the 1999 Kargil War, he secretly began preparing for the National Defence Academy (NDA) exam—even skipping his own sister's wedding to focus on it. Student takeaway: Your dream doesn't need instant validation. Not everyone will understand your ambition. What matters is how fiercely you believe in it—and how consistently you work toward it. 2. A strong academic base opens extraordinary doors After clearing the UPSC NDA entrance, Shukla graduated with a BSc in Computer Science. But he didn't stop there. He went on to earn an MTech in Aerospace Engineering from the Indian Institute of Science (IISc), Bengaluru—one of India's top research institutions. IISc has ranked among the top in India and the world for its research output. This academic strength made him an ideal candidate for both the ISRO Gaganyaan programme and international astronaut training. Student takeaway: Don't chase just the 'easiest' course—chase the one that challenges you to grow. A strong education, paired with passion, becomes your launchpad—sometimes quite literally. 3. Discipline and adaptability go hand in hand Commissioned into the Indian Air Force in 2006, Shukla flew over 2,000 hours on some of the most advanced fighter jets, including Su-30 MKIs. But he didn't just fly aircraft—he continued learning and evolving. Between 2020 and 2021, he underwent astronaut training at Russia's Yuri Gagarin Cosmonaut Training Centre, followed by further sessions in India and the U.S. His journey from pilot to astronaut proves one thing: Discipline builds consistency, but adaptability ensures progress. Student takeaway: Your ability to be disciplined and flexible—to follow through while also evolving—is what will keep you ahead in life's most challenging moments. 4. Don't fear uncharted paths, create them Shukla was handpicked in 2019 to join the Gaganyaan human spaceflight mission, and by 2025, became the prime astronaut-pilot on the Axiom Space-NASA-ISRO collaboration. This made him India's first astronaut in 40 years, since Rakesh Sharma's historic mission in 1984. He didn't just accept the unknown—he pioneered it. Student takeaway: There won't always be a 'safe route' laid out. Sometimes, you'll have to make the bold choice that feels uncertain. But often, that's the path that leads to greatness. 5. Use your platform to inspire and uplift others During his 14-day mission aboard the ISS, Shukla isn't just conducting five groundbreaking experiments with NASA in space biology and agriculture—he's also scheduled to interact live with students across India, answering their questions and encouraging young minds to pursue STEM careers. This is leadership at its most inspiring—not just achieving for yourself, but lifting others as you rise. Student takeaway: No matter how far you go, remember to give back. Success becomes legacy when it empowers others to succeed too. S hubhanshu Shukla's journey proves that nothing—be it geography, expectation, or gravity—can hold back someone with a clear goal, relentless discipline, and a learning mindset. As a student, you may not be planning a spacewalk anytime soon. But you can adopt his mindset. In the story of Shubhanshu Shukla, we don't just see an astronaut. We see what happens when a student decides to never stop learning—even beyond the stars. Is your child ready for the careers of tomorrow? Enroll now and take advantage of our early bird offer! Spaces are limited.
