Shubhanshu Shukla Performs Zero-Gravity Tricks With Water On ISS
Astronaut Shubhanshu Shukla, the Axiom-4 mission pilot, has showcased a zero-gravity experiment aboard the International Space Station (ISS) involving water to illustrate how microgravity transforms everyday physics.
The experiment, part of Axiom Space's outreach and scientific mission, highlighted the unique behaviour of water in space.
After an 18-day stay at the ISS, Mr Shukla and three others -- commander Peggy Whitson and mission specialists Slawosz Uznanski-Wisniewski of Poland and Tibor Kapu of Hungary -- of the commercial Axiom-4 mission set off on a return journey to Earth on Monday evening.
Using surface tension to their advantage, Mr Shukla formed a floating water bubble. "I've become a water bender here in the station," he joked.
Another astronaut Whitson further went on to press a plastic bag gently into the sphere, demonstrating how surface tension behaves like a magnet in microgravity by clinging to the object and distorting light like a lens.
The astronauts also spoke about the opportunity not just to engage in science but also to communicate the wonder and beauty of Earth from space.
"I try to savour every moment I get -- just sitting by the window and looking down. It's the most beautiful view I've seen," Shukla said onboard the ISS.
Whitson explained that the crew is nearing the end of their two-week mission, during which they've balanced rigorous scientific research with education and public engagement.
Their mission has also included outreach to students and STEM communities around the globe, including in India, Hungary, and Poland.
Asked about re-entering Earth's gravity, Whitson was frank: "From me having experienced it, I know first person -- it sucks. Gravity really does." Shukla, on his maiden spaceflight, said he hopes to handle the descent better than his ascent, which involved some space motion sickness.
In the 10 minutes of their broadcast, the astronauts estimated they had travelled about 2,900 miles.
The Axiom-4 mission began its space odyssey on June 25 when the Falcon-9 rocket carrying the Dragon space capsule blasted off from Florida towards the ISS.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Time of India
an hour ago
- Time of India
ISS astronaut makes kimchi fried rice in space: Does it taste any different?
Image credits: Canva (Representative image) If you've been dreaming of going to space, one of the points to note among many is that taking and making your favourite food there, is a limited and rare possibility. Be it your mum's signature dish or a guilty pleasure, living in space requires you to suffice in some basic food for the time being. Over the years, scientists and astronauts have been working to expand the space menu with determined research and have been making gradual progress with it. Expedition 73 is the 73rd long-duration expedition sent to the International Space Station (ISS) on April 19, 2025. The crew will be returning to Earth in November, and till then, the members have been continuing science research and maintenance activities aboard the ISS. On July 24, 2025, NASA astronaut Jonny Kim, a flight engineer part of the Expedition 73 crew, had a conversation with 125 participants from 39 countries in the International Space University Space Studies Program held in Seoul, South Korea this year. After hearing how the ISU attendees had been enjoying the local Korean cuisine, Kim shared his own experience of making kimchi fried rice aboard the ISS and how it tasted. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Indonesia: Unsold Sofas Prices May Surprise You (Prices May Surprise You) Sofas | Search Ads Search Now Undo "They've been enjoying some Korean cuisine. Did you take any Korean cuisine with you to the space station?" asked a person to Kim. "Annyeonghaseyo (hello), I did, of course," began Kim. "I had a cargo mission come up that had some of my most favorite foods. So of course I had kimchi brought up. I had gochujang, which is a red pepper paste, and I had rice come up. So with those ingredients, and of course, some Spam, I was able to make my own space version of kimchi fried rice." How did it taste? Well, according to the astronaut, it wasn't as good as he could make it at home on Earth. However, in space, they have to work with the best they've got, and he "really, really enjoyed it." Image credits: X Kim, 41, is known to share his culinary experiments in space on X (formerly Twitter). Previously, the astronaut with a following of 71.4K had shared a post on making sushi in space with gochujang, fish, spam, rice and wasabi. However, in order to plate the Japanese dish, they had to make use of orient tape so that the sushi wouldn't float away. Recently, he and his crew members also shared a meal with the Axiom 4 crew, where they had shrimp cocktails and crackers for starters, savoury chicken and beef fajitas for the main course and a cake made from sweet bread, condensed milk and walnuts for dessert. Why does food taste different in space? Image credits: X/@JonnyKimUSA Be it kimchi fried rice or sushi, according to astronauts, the food in space does not taste similar to Earth, even with the same ingredients. Why so? One of the primary reasons, as per NASA , is fluid shift. From the early 1960s, astronauts found that their taste buds were not as effective in space as on Earth. This is because fluids in the body are affected by the reduced gravity conditions. While on Earth, gravity pulls the fluid into our legs; in space, it is equally distributed in the body, thus affecting the ability to smell and taste. Additionally, in the confines of a small space like the space station, the food competes with other odours such as body odours, machinery and more and could thus 'dull' the sense of taste.
Time of India
an hour ago
- Time of India
Man Ki Baat: PM Modi praises astronaut Shubhanshu Shukla; says new wave of curiosity for space among kids
File photo (Picture credit: PTI) NEW DELHI: Ahead of the National Space Day, PM Narendra Modi on Sunday highlighted India's growing capabilities in space sector, mentioning the achievement of IAF Group Captain Shubhanshu Shukla's recent journey to International Space Station, talked about a new wave of curiosity about space among children and pointed out that today more than 200 startups have come up in the space sector alone. Talking about Shubhanshu Shukla, who was one of the four crew members of the Axiom-4 mission to ISS, PM Modi, in his 124th 'Mann Ki Baat' episode, said, 'We shall touch upon the successes of the country; the achievements of the countrymen.' He said when Shukla landed back on Earth, a 'wave of happiness rippled through every heart' and added that the 'whole country was filled with pride.' PM Modi also highlighted how the success of Isro's Chandrayaan-3 mission created an atmosphere of curiosity in the country for space endeavours. 'I remember, when Chandrayaan-3 successfully landed in August 2023, a new ambience was created in the country. A new curiosity also arose among children about science, about space. Little children now say, we will also go to space; we will also land on the Moon — we will become space scientists," PM Modi said. PM Modi specifically mentioned the 'INSPIRE-MANAK Abhiyan,' which promotes innovation among children by providing them with a platform to develop innovative ideas rooted in science. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like No annual fees for life UnionBank Credit Card Apply Now Undo 'In this, five children are selected from each school. Each child brings up a new idea. So far, lakhs of children have joined this, and after Chandrayaan-3, their number has doubled,' he said. PM noted a rise in India's space startups, pointing out that the number has almost quadrupled in the last five years. 'Five years ago, there were fewer than 50 start-ups. Today, there are more than 200," he said. Further noting the upcoming National Space Day on August 23, PM Modi said, "How will you celebrate it..., do you have any new ideas? Do send me a message on the NaMo App'. PM Modi also mentioned the recent achievements of students in the science and mathematics fields, giving a shout-out to the brightest minds. 'In 21st-century India, science is progressing with renewed energy. A few days ago, our students won medals in the International Chemistry Olympiad. India has also strengthened its image in the world of mathematics. In the International Mathematical Olympiad held in Australia, our students won 3 Gold, 2 Silver and 1 Bronze medal," PM Modi said. He also announced that an Astronomy and Astrophysics Olympiad is going to be held in Mumbai next month. This will be the biggest Olympiad to date, he noted. The PM also hailed the development of Unesco recognising 12 Maratha forts as World Heritage Sites. 'Eleven forts in Maharashtra; one in Tamil Nadu. Each fort has a chapter of history attached to it. Every stone is a testimony to a historical event... Salher Fort, where the Mughals were defeated, Shivneri, where Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj was born. A fort that is unbreachable for the enemy. Khanderi Fort is an amazing fort built in the middle of the sea,' he said. 'The enemy wanted to stop him, but Shivaji Maharaj made the impossible possible. Pratapgarh Fort, where Afzal Khan was defeated, the echo of that saga still remains entrenched in the walls of the fort. Vijaydurg, which had secret tunnels, is proof of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj's farsightedness. I visited Raigad a few years ago... bowed in front of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj's statue. This experience will stay with me all my life,' Modi said. He said sometimes a task comes across as impossible to some people, but when the country comes together on one thought, even the impossible becomes possible. '' Swachh Bharat Mission ' is the biggest example of this. Soon, this mission will complete 11 years. But its strength and its need are still the same,' he said. In these 11 years, 'Swachh Bharat Mission' has become a mass movement, and people consider it their duty, and this is real public participation, Modi said. 'The Swachh Survey conducted every year has lifted this feeling further. This year, more than 4500 cities and towns of the country joined it. More than 15 crore people participated in it. This is not an ordinary number. This is the voice of Swachh Bharat,' he said.
Hindustan Times
6 hours ago
- Hindustan Times
Modi hails Shubhanshu Shukla's return to Earth as India's new Chandrayaan moment
Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday likened Indian astronaut Shubhanshu Shukla's safe return to Earth from the Axiom-4 mission this month to the historic moon landing of Chandrayaan-3 in 2023. In his monthly radio broadcast Mann Ki Baat, Modi said such landmark moments spark a new wave of enthusiasm across the country, especially by igniting children's curiosity about science and space. Prime Minister Narendra Modi. (ANI) 'The moment Shubhanshu landed safely back on Earth, people jumped with joy. A wave of happiness swept through every heart. The whole country was filled with pride,' Modi said in his 124th Mann Ki Baat speech. 'I still remember when Chandrayaan 3 successfully landed on the Moon in August 2023, a new atmosphere was created in the country.' 'Little children now say, we will also go to Space; we will also land on the Moon – we will become space scientists,' he said, adding that space startups have grown at a rapid speed, from less than 50 startups five years ago to over 200 now. Launched on June 25, 2025 aboard the SpaceX Dragon spacecraft, the Axiom-4 mission concluded on July 15 after an 18-day mission aboard the International Space Station (ISS). The mission was conducted in collaboration with NASA, Axiom Space and ESA, wherein Shukla and his crewmates carried out 60 experiments on medicine, agriculture, and the effect of space. India will celebrate its second National Space Day on August 23, which commemorates the successful Chandrayaan-3 mission. Modi has invited citizens to share their suggestions on how the occasion should be celebrated, asking them to submit ideas on the NaMo app. Modi also highlighted recent achievements in science, including students winning medals at the International Chemistry and Mathematical Olympiads. He also noted that Mumbai will host the world's largest Astronomy and Astrophysics Olympiad in August, with participants from over 60 countries. He called it a sign of India's growing strength in both 'Olympics and Olympiads.' He lauded India's performance at the World Police and Fire Games held in the US, where Indian personnel won nearly 600 medals and placed among the top three out of 71 countries. He also announced that India will host the 2029 edition of the event. Shifting focus to India's cultural achievements, Modi said, 'UNESCO has recognized 12 Maratha forts as World Heritage Sites. Eleven forts in Maharashtra; one in Tamil Nadu. Each fort has a chapter of history attached to it. Every stone is a testimony to a historical event.' UNESCO's recognition highlights a defence network built by the Marathas between the 17th and 19th centuries across Maharashtra and Tamil Nadu. However, the International Council on Monuments and Sites (ICOMOS) had advised deferring the nomination, saying the selected forts weren't enough to represent the full Maratha defence system and raised concerns about protection and classification. Despite this, India's bid won strong support at the World Heritage Committee session in Paris. August is the 'month of revolution,' marking several pivotal moments in India's history like Tilak's death anniversary (August 1), the Quit India Movement (August 8), Independence Day (August 15), and Partition Horrors Remembrance Day (August 14), said the Prime Minister. The Swadeshi Movement of 1905 kicked off on August 7, the date we now honour as National Handloom Day. This year will mark a full decade of celebrating looms and legacy, noted the PM. Far from being just threads and textiles, the handloom sector, he said, is a sign of empowerment, weaving together women's ambition, rural enterprise, and cultural identity. As the government sets its sights on 2047, the centenary of independence, the PM's call was clear: go vocal for local, buy what's made here, stitched here, and is steeped in the sweat and skill of our own people.
