Shubhanshu Shukla becomes 1st Indian to get haircut in space. You read that right

India Today

9 hours ago

In what might be the most down-to-Earth moment in an otherwise out-of-this-world mission, Indian astronaut Group Captain Shubhanshu Shukla has just made history—by getting the first-ever Indian haircut in space. Yes, really.Floating 400 km above Earth aboard the International Space Station, Shukla got a tidy trim just hours before undocking for his return trip home. And social media? It's loving every strand of it.advertisementNow, if you're imagining a cosmic salon with floating scissors and levitating shampoo, hold that thought. Haircuts in space are a whole other universe of logistics. There's no gravity, no sink, and definitely no floor to sweep hair onto.See you soon Ax-4! Wishing you a soft landing! pic.twitter.com/qgsJQo2CRM— Nichole 'Vapor' Ayers (@Astro_Ayers) July 14, 2025
Instead, astronauts use specially designed vacuum clippers that suck in the hair as it's cut—because the last thing you want is rogue follicles clogging up the ISS life support systems. Bonus? You don't need to tip your crewmate-barber.FOLLOW SHUBHANSHU SHUKLA RETURN LIVEThe picture of Shukla's space salon session, shared by astronaut Nichole Ayers, shows just how delightfully weird (and efficient) microgravity grooming can be. Think of it as the most high-stakes barbershop on—or rather, off—the planet.But this isn't just a quirky detour. Space haircuts are a legit part of astronaut life. As the Axiom-4 crew gears up for their splashdown in the Pacific Ocean on Tuesday afternoon IST, personal hygiene—yes, even a haircut—helps astronauts prep mentally and physically for re-entry. Pressure suits are tight, morale is important, and looking good for Earth selfies? Well, that's just good PR.Shukla's mission has been filled with milestones—science experiments, over 250 orbitsd of Earth, and now, a stylish zero-G grooming moment. As India eagerly awaits his safe return, one thing's clear: even among the stars, a fresh haircut goes a long way.Because whether you're floating in space or stuck in traffic on Earth, sometimes, you just need a trim.- EndsTune InMust Watch