Axiom mission: Why is there a baby swan toy with Shubhanshu Shukla in spacecraft?
After creating history for India, Indian Air Force Group captain and astronaut
Shubhanshu Shukla
while speaking from space revealed the reason for choosing a
baby swan
toy as a zero gravity indicator.
"It's a swan. A swan symbolises wisdom. This means much more than just a zero gravity indicator, it carries a deeper meaning than what we usually attach to it," said Shukla.
"I wasn't feeling very great when we got shot in the vacuum, I have been sleeping a lot," revealed Shukla in a live telecast of
Axiom
.
by Taboola
by Taboola
Sponsored Links
Sponsored Links
Promoted Links
Promoted Links
You May Like
Kuala Lumpur: Unsold Furniture Liquidation 2024 (Prices May Surprise You)
Unsold Furniture | Search Ads
Learn More
Undo
ALSO READ:
Shubhanshu Shukla Axiom-4 mission: Lucknow boy charts India's return to space after 40 years on SpaceX aircraft
Agencies
What is Zero-G indicator in space missions?
A
Zero-G indicator
is an object (often a soft toy) used to visualize the transition into weightlessness during a crewed space mission. The tradition of using a soft toy as a Zero-G indicator has been a longstanding one in the history of human spaceflight. The concept traces back to Yuri Gagarin's pioneering mission in 1961 when a small doll accompanied him to detect weightlessness. SpaceX, continuing this practice, has seen astronauts bring plushies ranging from dinosaurs to Earth-themed characters. On Axion 4, Joy will serve this same role.
Live Events
Why the swan?
The swan, known for its grace and elegance, carries allegorical meanings across cultures. In India, it symbolizes wisdom and purity, representing the pursuit of truth. In Poland, the swan stands for purity, loyalty, and resilience, while in Hungary, it epitomizes loyalty, grace, and the beauty of nature. By choosing a swan as the zero-g indicator, the Ax-4 crew celebrates the diversity of their cultures, united in the shared human experience of space exploration.
Ax-4 mission
The Ax-4 mission is going to be conducting major research. The research complement includes around 60 scientific studies and activities representing 31 countries, including the U.S., India, Poland, Hungary, Saudi Arabia, Brazil, Nigeria, UAE, and nations across Europe.
This will be the most research and science-related activities conducted on an Axiom Space mission aboard the International Space Station to date
NASA and ISRO (Indian Space Research Organisation) are collaborating to launch several scientific investigations.
These studies include examining muscle regeneration, growth of sprouts and edible microalgae, survival of tiny aquatic organisms, and human interaction with electronic displays in microgravity.
The first private astronaut mission to the station,
Axiom Mission
1, lifted off in April 2022 for a 17-day mission aboard the orbiting laboratory. The second private astronaut mission to the station, Axiom Mission 2, also was commanded by Whitson and launched in May 2023 with four private astronauts who spent eight days in orbit. The most recent private astronaut mission, Axiom Mission 3, launched in January 2024; the crew spent 18 days docked to the space station.
The International Space Station is a convergence of science, technology, and human innovation that enables research not possible on Earth. For more than 24 years, NASA has supported a continuous human presence aboard the orbiting laboratory, through which astronauts have learned to live and work in space for extended periods of time.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Time of India
26 minutes ago
- Time of India
3-day mango festival at Yadavindra Gardens from July 4
1 2 Panchkula: Mango growers from across the country will showcase and sell mangoes and mango-based products during the 32nd edition of the three-day Mango Festival, scheduled to be held at Yadavindra Gardens, Pinjore, from July 4 to 6. Prominent mango varieties to be exhibited and entered into competition include Dussehri, Chausa, Langra, Amrapali, Bombay Green (Malda), Ratol, Mallika, Ambika, and Ramkela (a pickle variety). A large number of mango producers from across India are expected to participate. The event is being jointly organised by the Haryana Tourism Corporation and the horticulture department. The first day will feature student competitions such as rangoli, drawing, poster-making, and a mango quiz starting at 10 am. Cultural performances by folk artists, including Nagada Party, Jangam Party, Big Piper Group, Been Party, Ektara Party, and Bahurupiya dancers and singers, will add to the festive atmosphere. On the second day, student activities like group dance, story writing, slogan writing, nail art, and handwriting competitions will be held from 10 am. The final day will include group singing, drawing, 'Best out of Waste', mehendi, and mango-eating competitions, along with public entertainment. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Adam Lambert, 43, Takes off His Makeup and Leaves Us Without Words Telehealth Dave Undo The gardens will be decorated with special lighting on palaces, walls, and forts using energy-efficient methods in line with the 'Go Green' initiative. A multi-cuisine food court will offer Indian street food, Punjabi dishes, South Indian delicacies, and Chinese cuisine. The Craft Bazaar will showcase handloom and handicrafts from artisans and weavers of Haryana, Punjab, Himachal Pradesh, Jammu & Kashmir, Rajasthan, and other states. Managing director of Haryana Tourism, Dr Shaleen, announced that chief minister Nayab Singh Saini will inaugurate the festival on July 4. Dr Shaleen chaired a preparatory meeting at the Red Bishop auditorium, Sector 1, to review arrangements. He directed departments to ensure law and order, parking, health services, mobile toilets, regular fogging, and drinking water availability throughout the event. The executive officer of Kalka municipal council was instructed to ensure cleanliness and proper parking before the festival. The roadways department was advised to run special buses from Kalka, Panchkula, and Chandigarh for visitor convenience. Police, medical, and fire departments were also issued necessary directions.
Time of India
34 minutes ago
- Time of India
'The damage…is permanent': Taylor Swift furious over Blake Lively as Travis Kelce gets caught in between the legal storm
A legal battle between Blake Lively and Justin Baldoni has unexpectedly ensnared Taylor Swift and Travis Kelce (Getty Images) Once a tight-knit trio often spotted at football games and industry events, Taylor Swift , Blake Lively , and Travis Kelce now find themselves in an unexpected media storm. The catalyst? A heated legal battle between Lively and It Ends With Us director Justin Baldoni—and a leaked text that pulled Swift uncomfortably into the fray. Blake Lively's lawsuit takes a personal turn, drawing Taylor Swift and Travis into the spotlight The legal showdown between Blake Lively and Justin Baldoni 's Wayfarer Studios is heating up ahead of the scheduled March 2026 trial. Though the case centers on behind-the-scenes disputes from the 2024 film release, it has sparked wider headlines for implicating Taylor Swift—who was briefly subpoenaed before the order was dropped. — nypost (@nypost) Despite never setting foot on set or having creative input, Swift's close friendship with Lively made her a potential witness, with the court granting Baldoni's team access to text messages between the two. These developments have reportedly shaken Swift, and by extension, Travis Kelce—her high-profile boyfriend who has been navigating increased scrutiny due to her legal entanglements. The "dragon" text that fractured a friendship At the center of the emotional fallout is a leaked message from Lively to Baldoni, referencing Swift: 'If you ever get around to watching Game of Thrones , you'll appreciate that I'm Khaleesi, and like her, I happen to have a few dragons… Because my dragons also protect those I fight for. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Shiloh Jolie debuts new name in unexpected powerful appearance BigGlobalTravel Undo So really, we all benefit from those gorgeous monsters of mine. You will too, I can promise you.' According to insiders, Swift was furious at the implication that she was being leveraged as a form of behind-the-scenes power. One source told Page Six, 'She really hates that Blake would even think like that, let alone write the things she did in that text.' Travis Kelce caught between loyalty and media pressure The fallout has reportedly affected those close to Swift, including NFL star Travis Kelce. With cameras often capturing Swift, Lively, and Kelce together at major public events—including NFL games and the Super Bowl—the strained friendship now places Kelce in an awkward position. 'Taylor would never think of herself as Blake's 'dragon,' or protector,' another insider claimed. 'She's hurt that Blake used her name in that context, especially when the friendship wasn't even like that.' Also Read: Taylor Swift's hot mic comment about Travis Kelce's mom Donna Kelce surprises fans at NFL event As the trial looms, and text messages continue to be analyzed by both legal teams and the public, the once celebrated bond between Lively, Swift, and their inner circle—including Kelce—appears to be hanging by a thread. Game On Season 1 continues with Mirabai Chanu's inspiring story. Watch Episode 2 here.
Time of India
an hour ago
- Time of India
Puneet Issar criticizes Diljit Dosanjh for working with Pakistani actress Hania Aamir in ‘Sardar Ji 3': 'Don't you know that four sons of Guru Govind Singh were martyred?'
Diljit Dosanjh's 'Sardar Ji 3', starring Pakistani actress Hania Aamir, faced boycott calls in India and will release only overseas. Veteran Puneet Issar criticized Diljit for ignoring patriotism amid rising India-Pakistan tensions after the Pahalgam attack. The film is approved for release in Pakistan, boosting its local cinema. Diljit Dosanjh 's Punjabi film 'Sardar Ji 3' recently became the center of controversy after Pakistani actress Hania Aamir was cast as the lead heroine. This sparked calls for a boycott of the film in India, leading to the decision that 'Sardar Ji 3' will not be released domestically and will only be screened overseas. Amid the ongoing debate, veteran actor Puneet Issar has shared his perspective on the issue, adding to the public lesson around cross-border collaborations in the entertainment industry. Puneet Issar's Patriotic View Talking to Instant Bollywood, Puneet Issar said, "I am a patriot, for me the country comes first. I believe that when Diljit Dosanjh started his film, everything was fine between the two countries. Some artists from there were working with us at that time, but no one objected. But I believe that we should also have self-respect for our country, for our Gurus. We should know where our Gurus have sacrificed their lives. What have they all done for us? You (Diljit) have forgotten those things. Don't you know that four sons of Guru Govind Singh were martyred? Guru Tegh Bahadur Ji sacrificed his life to protect his religion. We all should be loyal to our country." Critique of Diljit Dosanjh's Comments The actor further added, "Diljit is a big artist. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Giao dịch vàng CFDs với mức chênh lệch giá thấp nhất IC Markets Đăng ký Undo He said that the film had already been made. But he further said that it does not matter to him, music is made and played between two countries. This statement itself was wrong. Every Indian should respect his country." Film's Release Status Amidst Tensions Following the terror attack in Pahalgam on April 22, 2025, which resulted in 26 deaths, the Federation of Western India Cine Employees (FWICE) reinstated a blanket ban on Pakistani artists working in India and urged the Information & Broadcasting Ministry to enforce it. As tensions rose, public and industry pressure mounted against cross-border collaborations. The producers of 'Sardaar Ji 3' decided to cancel its India theatrical release and opted for an overseas-only strategy. Pakistani censorship boards in Sindh, Punjab, and the Federal Capital approved the film, allowing its release in Pakistan where it's expected to benefit the local cinema industry.
