In a historic leap for Indian human spaceflight, Indian Air Force Group Captain Shubhanshu Shukla has docked with the International Space Station (ISS), becoming the first Indian in over four decades to live and work in low Earth orbit. But his mission aboard the Axiom Mission 4 (Ax-4) is not only symbolic — it carries significant scientific and cultural relevance.
Launched aboard SpaceX’s Crew Dragon from NASA’s Kennedy Space Center, the Indian Air Force officer’s spacecraft completed an orbital journey spanning several hours before successfully attaching to the ISS. Over the next fortnight, Shukla will conduct pioneering research and carry out symbolic tasks that reflect India’s growing ambitions in space exploration.
“I carry not just instruments and equipment, I carry the hopes and dreams of a billion hearts,” Shubhanshu Shukla, before launch
A taste of home in zero gravity
Among his personal cargo are three distinctly Indian delicacies: mango nectar, gajar ka halwa, and moong dal halwa. These traditional treats, developed by the Defence Institute of Bio-Defence Technologies (DIBT), have been scientifically adapted for long-term storage in space without preservatives.
Dr R Kumar, who heads the DIBT, noted that the dishes were “commercially sterile, preservative-free, and stable for over a year at room temperature”. The menu is not merely sentimental; it is also a demonstration of India's growing capabilities in developing space-grade food suited for extended missions.
Also read: Shubhanshu Shukla takes India back to space, launch successful
While the mango nectar may offer comfort, the real mission begins in the lab module. Shukla is leading a range of experiments designed to assess the impact of microgravity and space radiation on biological matter, research considered vital for future deep space missions and planetary colonisation.
One of his key assignments is to observe how edible microalgae respond to conditions aboard the ISS. The focus will be on changes in nutritional content, as researchers hope to evaluate its viability as a sustainable food source in space.
In another experiment, six varieties of Indian crop seeds are being exposed to the unique environment of the ISS. The trials aim to track potential genetic, microbial, and nutritional shifts. Findings from this research may one day inform space farming protocols or lead to enhanced crop resilience on Earth.
Shukla’s voyage, the first by an Indian astronaut since Rakesh Sharma’s iconic 1984 flight — signals a revival in India’s human spaceflight ambition. Although the mission is commercial and conducted in collaboration with the US-based Axiom Space, it stands as a testament to India’s integration into the global space community.
Symbolism aside, Shukla’s participation in Ax-4 is not ceremonial. It builds scientific bridges, enhances international cooperation, and contributes meaningful data to humanity’s quest to live sustainably in space.
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