Page 2 - International Space Station

Shubhanshu Shukla's family speaks with him, awaits his return from space

The family of astronaut Shubhanshu Shukla, currently aboard the International Space Station (ISS) as part of NASA's Axiom-4 mission, on Friday expressed joy and pride after speaking to him, and said they are eagerly awaiting his safe return on July 14. Speaking to PTI Videos from their Lucknow residence, Shubhanshu's father Shambhu Dayal Shukla said the family is relieved to know that the mission is proceeding smoothly. "Everything is fine in space. It felt great to see that his mission is going well. He showed us where he works, where he sleeps, his lab, and how his daily routine looks like," he said. "We felt very happy after talking to him. He explained everything to us very clearly. We are also doing well here and are eagerly looking forward to welcoming him back. Our entire family and extended relatives are happy and waiting for his return," he added. Shubhanshu's mother Asha Shukla said she was especially moved by the visuals her son shared from space. "He told us how beauti

Shubhanshu Shukla turns farmer in space; grows methi seeds onboard ISS

In the final leg of his space sojourn, Indian astronaut Shubhanshu Shukla turned into a farmer, taking photos of 'moong' and 'methi' seeds sprouting in petri dishes and inserting them into a storage freezer on the International Space Station (ISS) as part of a study on how microgravity influences germination and early plant development. Shukla and his fellow Axiom-4 astronauts have spent 12 days on the orbital lab and they are expected to return to Earth any day after July 10, depending on the weather conditions off the Florida coast. NASA is yet to announce a date for the undocking of the Axiom-4 mission from the space station. The duration of the Axiom-4 mission docked to the ISS is up to 14 days. "I am so proud that ISRO has been able to collaborate with national institutions all over the country and come up with some fantastic research which I am doing on the station for all the scientists and researchers. It is exciting and a joy to do this," Shukla said in an interaction with

Shukla highlights exciting Indian-led research during Ax-4 mission

The group captain underscored the significance of the ISS as a premier laboratory for research and innovation, with his mission opening new avenues for Indian scientists

'Privilege to be amongst few': Shukla describes seeing Earth from space

Speaking from orbit, the astronaut shared his experience of living and working in space, offering insights into the physical challenges, the awe of observing Earth from above

Shubhanshu Shukla explores bone health, radiation effects on the ISS

After a day off, astronaut Shubhanshu Shukla and others from the Axiom-4 mission on Saturday studied how bones react to microgravity conditions, an experiment that could lead to better treatment of osteoporosis on Earth. On the 10th flight day, Shukla also participated in an experiment to monitor radiation exposure on the International Space Station (ISS), which could help better protect astronauts on longer-duration space missions away from Earth. Lucknow-born Shukla (39) is part of a 14-day mission to the ISS conducted by Axiom Space. Shukla, who has the call sign "Shux", is the mission pilot, while veteran US astronaut Peggy Whitson is the commander of the mission. Hungarian Tibor Kapu and Polish astronaut Slawosz Uznanski-Wisniewski are mission specialists. "Shux deployed samples for the Space Micro Algae investigation. These tiny organisms might one day help sustain life in space, providing food, fuel, and even breathable air. But first, we need to understand how they grow and

Shubhanshu Shukla shares Indian food, struggles most with sleep aboard ISS

'You want to do more and more,' says Shubhanshu Shukla on the struggle to sleep in space amid the pressure of limited time

Exciting to see Earth from vantage point of ISS: Shubhanshu Shukla

Astronaut Shubhanshu Shukla on Friday said he and fellow astronauts on the International Space Station relished 'aam ras', 'gajar ka halwa', 'moong dal halwa' and delicacies from other countries as he completed a week on board the orbital lab. Shukla, who docked at the ISS on June 26 as part of the Axiom-4 mission, completed a week on the ISS and got a day off, which he spent connecting with family and friends back on Earth. The Axiom-4 (Ax-4) crew, which includes Shukla and three other astronauts, completed 113 orbits around the Earth by the end of July 3, clocking over 4.66 million km, which is equivalent to nearly 12 times the distance between the Earth and the moon. "It was a good moment. We got food from different countries and got to share it with all the crew," Shukla, who has the call sign Shux', said in a brief interaction with scientists at the URSC, Bengaluru over HAM radio connection. On Thursday, Shukla also became the Indian astronaut with the longest stay in space, .

Time to retire the ISS? Musk pushes for Mars as next big space destination

SpaceX boss Elon Musk reignites Mars exploration debate after Trump's tax bill allocates $1.25 billion to International Space Station, shifts focus to future colonisation missions

Axiom 4 mission: Shubhanshu Shukla completes a week in orbit aboard ISS

Shukla has been conducting experiments that explore how microgravity affects growth and genetic behaviour of algae and how tardigrades, hardy microscopic creatures, survive and reproduce in space

Crew members aboard International Space Station resume space science work

Doctors will review data to understand how blood circulation adapts to weightlessness. Ax-4 crewmates Peggy Whitson and Tibor Kapu studied cerebral circulation for an experiment

Shubhanshu Shukla conducts stem cell study on ISS, records digestion video

Group Captain Shukla also recorded an educational video for Indian school students explaining how the human digestive system adapts in space

A bit heavy-headed, but excited: Shubhanshu Shukla's 1st message from ISS

His statement came after he, along with the other crew members, entered the International Space Station (ISS) following the successful docking of their SpaceX Dragon spacecraft

Axiom-4 mission: Dragon spacecraft docks with International Space Station

Axiom-4 mission: Dragon spacecraft docks with International Space Station

'Jai Hind!' echoes from space as an Indian enters orbital club after 41 yrs

Axiom-4 marks the first Indian government-backed spaceflight since 1984 with Shubhanshu Shukla onboard, signalling a major step towards the Gaganyaan mission

Shubhanshu Shukla's family members celebrate as Axiom-4 mission lifts off

Family members of Indian astronaut Shubhanshu Shukla celebrate as they watch the live broadcast of Axiom-4 space mission, in Lucknow, Wednesday, June 25, 2025.

'Mere kandhe par jo tiranga hai...': Shubhanshu Shukla's first message from space for India

'Mere kandhe par jo tiranga hai...': Shubhanshu Shukla's first message from space for India

Axiom-4 mission lifts off, India’s Shubhanshu Shukla begins journey to ISS

Indian astronaut Shubhanshu Shukla made history on Wednesday when Axiom Mission 4 to the International Space Station (ISS) lifted off a little after noon from the Kennedy Space Center in Florida.

Watch video: Axiom-4 mission launch to ISS

Indian astronaut Shubhanshu Shukla and three others have boarded the Dragon spacecraft at the Kennedy Space Centre in Florida. They are heading to the International Space Station

'It was a great ride': Shubhanshu Shukla's first message after lift-off

Indian astronaut Shubhanshu Shukla made history as Axiom Mission 4 lifted off aboard SpaceX's Falcon 9 from Nasa's Kennedy Space Centre; ISS docking set for June 26 at 4:30 pm IST

India returns to space after 41 yrs, Shubhanshu Shukla lifts off on Axiom-4

His 14-day mission at the International Space Station will include around 60 intense research experiments representing 31 countries