What Did Indian Astronaut Shubhanshu Shukla Say About India from Space?

Shubhanshu Shukla's Reflections from the ISS

New Delhi: Astronaut Shubhanshu Shukla concluded his 18-day mission aboard the International Space Station (ISS) on Sunday, expressing that India continues to appear 'saare jahan se accha' from space, echoing the sentiments of his idol Rakesh Sharma from 1984.

As he prepares to return to Earth on Monday evening, Shukla remarked that India today radiates ambition, fearlessness, and confidence, adding his unique perspective on the views of the nation from the orbital lab.

"Jaldi hi dharti pe mulaqat karte hai (we will meet on earth soon)," he stated during a farewell ceremony held on the ISS.

Reflecting on Rakesh Sharma's historic journey 41 years ago, Shukla noted the ongoing curiosity about how India appears from above.

"Today's India looks ambitious, fearless, confident, and filled with pride," he articulated.

"For all these reasons, I can confidently say that today's India still looks 'saare jahan se accha,'" he added.

The Axiom 4 (Ax-4) crew, which includes Commander Peggy Whitson and Pilot Shubhanshu 'Shux' Shukla, along with Mission Specialists Slawosz 'Suave' Uznanski-Wisniewski and Tibor Kapu, launched on June 25 from Florida and docked at the ISS the following day.

The final days of their stay were celebrated with feasts and farewells alongside seven other crew members residing at the ISS.

During the farewell ceremony, emotional moments were shared as the Ax-4 crew exchanged hugs with Expedition 73 members, highlighting the friendships formed during their time together.

"I never imagined this experience when I boarded the Falcon-9 on June 25. It has been incredible due to the people involved. The Expedition 73 crew has made this journey truly special for us," Shukla expressed.

Union Science and Technology Minister Jitendra Singh announced that the Axiom-4 mission is set to undock from the ISS at 4:35 PM IST on Monday, with a planned return to Earth on Tuesday off the California coast at 3 PM.

The astronauts will undergo a week of rehabilitation to readjust to Earth's gravity after their time in weightlessness.

This mission marks a significant milestone for Shukla, who is the first Indian to visit the ISS and only the second Indian in space, following Rakesh Sharma's groundbreaking flight in 1984.

Throughout his 18 days in space, Shukla experienced 16 sunrises and sunsets daily as the ISS orbits at a speed of 28,000 km per hour, approximately 400 km above Earth.

The Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) invested around Rs 550 crore for Shukla's journey, which will aid in the planning of its upcoming human spaceflight program, Gaganyaan, scheduled for 2027.

Shukla and his fellow astronauts are expected to board the spacecraft at 2:25 PM IST, don their space suits, and perform necessary tests before commencing their return to Earth.

The ISS travels at 28,000 km per hour, and the Dragon spacecraft will autonomously initiate the undocking process to gradually slow down and re-enter Earth's atmosphere for a splashdown off California's coast.

"The Dragon spacecraft will return with over 580 pounds of cargo, including NASA hardware and data from more than 60 experiments conducted during the mission," NASA stated.

During his time at the ISS, Shukla participated in a microalgae experiment, deploying and storing samples that could potentially provide food, oxygen, and biofuels for future deep-space missions, according to Axiom Space.

The resilience of microalgae makes them a promising resource for sustaining life beyond Earth.

"Exercise research and spacesuit maintenance were priorities for the Expedition 73 and Axiom Mission 4 crews on Thursday," NASA reported.

The crew also continued the Voyager Displays study, which investigates how spaceflight impacts eye movement and coordination.

They collected data for a study examining how astronauts perceive and interact with their environment in orbit, crucial for designing supportive habitats for long-duration missions.

Another study focused on cerebral blood flow, exploring how microgravity and elevated carbon dioxide levels affect cardiovascular function, which could benefit both astronauts and patients on Earth.

Radiation exposure was monitored using the compact Rad Nano Dosimeter, a tool designed to assess astronaut safety.