A day in space with Group Captain Shubhanshu Shukla
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Morning routines: Fitness before floating
Shukla's day starts around 6am UTC (11.30am IST), following ISS protocols. It begins with nearly two hours of mandatory exercise using the ARED, treadmill, and cycle ergometer to counter muscle and bone loss.
A yoga buff, he adds stretches and breathing exercises to stay flexible.
A taste of home
Group Captain Shukla has carried Gajar ka halwa, Moong dal halwa, Aamras — all dehydrated for microgravity. He also stays connected to Earth through video calls with his family, along with ham radio sessions arranged by ISRO, where he answers student questions about space farming, sleeping in zero gravity, and the everyday things he misses back home.
Up here, we see 16 sunrises and sunsets in a single day – it's exciting! But simple things like drinking water, walking, and especially sleeping become real challenges
– Group Captain Shubhanshu Shukla
pics: Axiom Space
I have brought Gajar ka halwa, Moong dal halwa, and Aamras to space. I also wanted my companions to taste them
– Group Captain Shubhanshu Shukla
Floating sleep and challenges
Shukla has admitted that sleeping in microgravity—tethered to the ISS walls—takes getting used to. With packed schedules, disrupted circadian rhythms, and the hum of life-support systems, astronauts often report fragmented sleep. Shukla has spoken candidly about these challenges, sharing his experiences during student Q&A sessions and media interactions
From growing methi to conducting scientific research: Shukla does it all
A key mission for Shukla is sprouting methi and moong seeds as part of ISRO's space farming trials – vital research for future missions like Gaganyaan and India's planned space station.
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These fast-growing, nutritious crops are monitored for growth in microgravity. Additionally, he oversees microalgae trials with cyanobacteria, exploring their potential as sources of oxygen and food in space habitats.
A series of cruicial experiments
Shukla is overseeing six additional Indian experiments, including:
Myogenesis Study: Examining skeletal muscle deterioration in space, vital for astronaut health and Earth-based treatments.
Microalgae Trials: Observing cyanobacteria growth for food and oxygen recycling in future space habitats.
Tardigrade Research: Tracking how these resilient creatures survive space conditions, offering clues for long-term human survival.
Cognitive Performance Tests: Monitoring mental sharpness via touchscreen tasks in microgravity.
Bone Physiology Study: Studying biochemical changes in bone cells to develop health countermeasures.
Radiation Exposure Monitoring: Measuring cosmic radiation exposure via dosimeters for astronaut safety
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India Today
38 minutes ago
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India's Shubhanshu Shukla to return home, undock from Space Station today
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Time of India
an hour ago
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Hindustan Times
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