
Indian Astronaut Shubhanshu Shukla Shares Mesmerizing Glimpse Of Earth From ISS Observatory
Shubhanshu Shukla became the first Indian on the ISS, observing Earth from the Cupola Module. He docked with the ISS on June 26 as the mission pilot for Axiom-4.
Indian government on Sunday shared a set of images showing Group Captain Shubhanshu Shukla, who scripted history by becoming the first Indian on the International Space Station, observing the Earth from the space station.
Group Captain Shukla participated in the mission as the pilot for Axiom Space's Ax-4 mission, which launched on 25 June 2025 aboard a SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket from NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Florida. He was accompanied by veteran American astronaut Peggy Whitson, Polish scientist Sławosz Uznański, and Hungarian astronaut Tibor Kapu. Following a 28-hour journey, the crew successfully docked with the International Space Station on 26 June.
In the pictures shared on X, Shukla is seen seated on the edge of the ISS' 7-windowed Cupola Module with the Earth visible in the background. 'Gazing Down From The Space! Group Capt Shubhanshu Shukla enjoys the stunning panoramic view of Earth from the 7-windowed Cupola Module aboard the International Space Station. It's been a remarkable journey as he marks a week in orbit, representing India among the stars," the X post of MyGovIndia reads.
Sudhanshu Shukla has now completed 10 days in space, advancing research critical to the future of long-duration space exploration.
One major focuses was the myogenesis investigation, which examines how microgravity accelerates muscle atrophy. In the absence of gravity, astronauts experience rapid weakening of skeletal muscles, a phenomenon linked to molecular and cellular changes.
Get breaking news, in-depth analysis, and expert perspectives on everything from politics to crime and society. Stay informed with the latest India news only on News18. Download the News18 App to stay updated!
First Published:
July 06, 2025, 22:09 IST

Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles


Time of India
31 minutes ago
- Time of India
In urban heat's shadow, Bihar bets on smarter & greener cities
1 2 Patna: As Indian cities battle the twin threats of fast-paced urbanisation and intensifying climate extremes, a new wave of hope comes in the form of the Smart Cities Mission – a govt initiative that seeks to reimagine the way cities function, breathe and survive. In Bihar, where urban centres like Patna are wilting under rising temperatures, shrinking green cover and crumbling infrastructure, the mission promises more than sleek roads and smart lights. It aims to build resilience, to make cities not just efficient, but liveable in an age of growing environmental uncertainty. Launched on June 25, 2015 by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, the Smart Cities Mission seeks to transform 100 Indian cities through sustainable, inclusive and technology-driven development. Among its core objectives is climate resilience, ensuring that cities can withstand and adapt to the growing threats of global warming, urban flooding and pollution. Bihar has four cities under the Smart Cities umbrella – Patna, Bhagalpur, Biharsharif and Muzaffarpur. Of these, Patna is leading the charge with an estimated project outlay of over Rs 2,776 crore. And according to officials, change is already taking root. Mohammed Shamshad, chief executive officer of Patna Smart City Limited (PSCL), said the area-based development (ABD) model adopted under the scheme has enabled targeted interventions. "Several initiatives like development of new parks, green corridors and the integration of green elements into urban infrastructure have been taken up at different places, especially below the flyovers and on riverfronts. Besides, PSCL is actively developing walking paths, jogging tracks, playgrounds and exercise stations," he said. With support from the Patna Municipal Corporation, PSCL is building green corridors along roads and waterways to link different parts of the city and enhance biodiversity. "These strategies would help mitigate the urban heat island effect and improve air quality," Shamshad added. The city's smart transformation also includes efforts to improve air quality through intelligent solid waste management, solar rooftops on government buildings, the introduction of e-buses, construction of e-toilets, and green belt development across the city. Shamshad said the smart city projects are on track to be completed by the end of the year. "By that time, hopefully, we would be able to create a greener, healthier, and more sustainable urban environment for the residents of Patna," he added. But infrastructure alone is not enough. Experts argue that resilience also lies in rethinking how cities are designed and inhabited. Sanjiv Kumar Sinha, a faculty member at NIT Patna, highlighted the importance of future-proof infrastructure. "Cities that focus on connected and coordinated infrastructure enjoy higher productivity, greater social inclusion, and more resilient economies. Other benefits include cleaner air, quieter environments, and safer streets, with lower greenhouse gas emissions," he said. Yet true transformation requires citizen participation. Uday Kant Mishra, vice-chairman of the Bihar State Disaster Management Authority, stressed the need for a broader climate-conscious mindset. "Apart from the smart city project initiatives, the people of cities like Patna would have to come forward in creating a climate-responsive system by allowing enough space for ventilation and promoting urban forestry," he said. He advocated the adoption of the Akira Miyawaki technique – a Japanese method for growing dense, native forests quickly – as a model for reviving urban green cover. "Terrace gardens should be developed atop high-rise buildings which can provide insulation. Rainwater harvesting structures should also be developed at all available spaces to reduce water shortage in the city," he added. Ashmita Gupta, member secretary of the Asian Development Research Institute, believes planning is key. "A concrete plan is needed to overcome the challenges posed by climate change and urbanisation. Appropriate spots for implementing the modern schemes of urban forestry in the city should be identified through satellite imagery, and all attempts should be made to enhance the city's green cover," she said. She further urged the adoption of sustainable development practices, such as rainwater harvesting, green buildings, cultivation of medicinal plants, and increased use of renewable energy like solar power.


India Gazette
5 hours ago
- India Gazette
Union Minister Jitendra Singh inaugurates 'National Biobank' and India's own Longitudinal population data study at CSIR-IGIB
New Delhi [India], July 6 (ANI): Union Minister of State (Independent Charge) for Science & Technology and Vice President of CSIR, Dr. Jitendra Singh, inaugurated the state-of-the-art Phenome India 'National Biobank' at the CSIR-Institute of Genomics and Integrative Biology (IGIB) in the national capital today. The newly launched facility marks a significant stride towards building India's own longitudinal health database and enabling personalised treatment regimens in future, said the Ministry of Science and Technology. The Biobank will serve as the backbone of a nationwide cohort study, collecting comprehensive genomic, lifestyle, and clinical data from 10,000 individuals across India. Drawing inspiration from the UK Biobank model, the Indian version is tailored to capture the country's unique diversity across geography, ethnicity, and socio-economic backgrounds. Researchers believe the initiative will aid early diagnosis, improve therapeutic targeting, and bolster the fight against complex diseases such as diabetes, cancer, cardiovascular ailments, and rare genetic disorders, the Ministry added. 'Today, we hold the promise of a future where every Indian may receive individualised treatment tailored to their genetic makeup, lifestyle, and environment,' Dr. Jitendra Singh said while addressing the scientists and researchers at IGIB. 'This transition to personalised healthcare is no longer theoretical--it is becoming reality, driven by indigenous innovations.' Reflecting on the unique health challenges faced by Indians, Dr. Jitendra Singh noted the high prevalence of central obesity, a risk factor often underestimated. He highlighted past research showing that seemingly lean Indians may carry disproportionate fat around their waist, underlining the need for population-specific health strategies. 'Our conditions are complex and deeply heterogeneous. This is where the Biobank becomes vital--it allows us to decode that complexity,' he said. The Minister emphasised that India's scientific landscape is evolving rapidly, citing recent advances in quantum technology, CRISPR-based genome editing, and the fight against antimicrobial resistance (AMR). 'India is no longer lagging behind--we are among the early adopters, sometimes even ahead,' he said. The Biobank, he added, will complement these efforts by generating the kind of high-resolution data that can power AI-driven diagnostics and gene-guided therapies. Dr. Jitendra Singh also called for deeper collaboration between research institutions, government departments like the Department of Biotechnology, and industry partners, particularly in areas such as AMR and drug development. 'Research must extend beyond the lab--it must find takers in the market and beneficiaries in society,' he noted. The Phenome India Project, under which the Biobank has been launched, is designed to be a long-term, data-rich study tracking the health trajectories of individuals over several years. It will help scientists uncover disease patterns, gene-environment interactions, and response to therapies--all within the Indian context. Dr. N. Kalaiselvi, Director General of CSIR and Secretary, DSIR, commended the launch of the Biobank as a bold step toward India's self-reliance in healthcare data. Describing the initiative as a 'baby step' with the potential to evolve into a global benchmark, she noted that the diversity and depth of the Indian cohort data could one day rival or even surpass global counterparts like the UK Biobank. Dr. Kalaiselvi highlighted CSIR's holistic efforts in areas like sickle cell anaemia through indigenous CRISPR-based therapies, affordable diagnostics, and collaborative interventions with tribal communities, while urging IGIB scientists to continue setting national examples in data-driven, people-centric research. Speaking at the occasion, Dr. Souvik Maiti, Director of CSIR-IGIB, reflected on the institute's pioneering role in genomics over the past two decades. 'We were the first institute in India to begin decoding the human genome at a time when sequencing tools were practically non-existent,' he said. Highlighting achievements such as the development of over 300 genetic diagnostics for rare disorders, extensive work on COVID-19 genome sequencing, and the launch of India's first drug genome project, he emphasised IGIB's mission of using global technologies to solve local health challenges. Dr. Maiti also pointed to ongoing work on women-centric studies, breast cancer genomics, and the development of indigenous CRISPR-based therapies for sickle cell disease, adding that IGIB's research now extends to domains like space biology and AI-based pilot fitness assessments in collaboration with the Indian Air Force. (ANI)


Business Standard
6 hours ago
- Business Standard
Sunita Narain
Sunita Narain is an Indian environmentalist and the director general of the Centre for Science and Environment. She is also the editor of Down To Earth and was awarded the Stockholm Water Prize in 2005 for her work in promoting water literacy.