From no alcohol to vegetarian food, inside Shubhanshu Shukla's ISS farewell
Also read: Astronaut Shubhanshu Shukla's family: He showed us sunrise from ISS; waiting for him to return tomorrow
What's allowed at an ISS farewell?
Shukla and a few fellow astronauts were given a low-key but meaningful farewell aboard the ISS, streamed live to Earth, sparking plenty of curiosity online. Is there cake? Can they play music? and much more. While images of astronauts doing rounds online in T-shirts might suggest a relaxed vibe, space life is definitely not casual. In fact, any crew gathering, including farewells, must be coordinated with Earth-based mission control centers in Houston and Moscow.
Reportedly, every ceremony and every moment follows strict protocol. Farewells, too, are defined by the 1998 Intergovernmental Agreement and the Crew Code of Conduct (CCOC), signed by space agencies like NASA, Roscosmos, ESA, JAXA and CSA. Even in microgravity, rules guide everything, from who speaks when to what foods are permitted, and no confetti.
Also read: India's Shubhanshu Shukla, Axiom-4 crew begin journey back to Earth: When, where they'll land
Food items that are allowed
Forget the champagne toasts or juicy steaks – those don't fly in space. On the ISS, NASA strictly prohibits alcohol, non-veg meals, or anything intoxicating. Food is limited to vacuum-sealed, pre-approved packets like rehydrated mac and cheese or the occasional chocolate bar. Even utensils need prior clearance. Why so strict? In a closed-loop system where air is recycled, even a strong food smell can throw things off. In space, even celebrations have to follow rules.
Muted music, emotional goodbyes
Music is allowed aboard the ISS, but only if it doesn't disturb communication or scientific work. Instead, astronauts connect with family through scheduled video calls.
FAQs:
1. Who is Shubhanshu Shukla?
He (39) is a Group Captain and test pilot in the Indian Air Force and a Gaganyatri with ISRO.
2. What is his current mission?
As of July 2025, he's serving as the mission pilot for Axiom Mission 4 to the International Space Station.
3. What kind of food do astronauts eat in space?
Pre-approved, astronauts eat pre-packed, dehydrated meals. Also, non-vegetarian food is restricted.
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Time of India
an hour ago
- Time of India
Shubhanshu Shukla: After 300+ orbits, 1.3 crore-km travel, Shubhanshu Shukla, Axiom-4 crew undock from ISS; splashdown at 3 pm July 15
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Hindustan Times
an hour ago
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Astronauts from India, Poland, Hungary depart space station for return flight
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Time of India
an hour ago
- Time of India
Fingers crossed & prayers on lips, Shux's family awaits splashdown
Lucknow: As the Axiom-4 crew successfully undocked from the International Space Station (ISS) on Monday, the family members of astronaut had their fingers crossed with prayers on lips. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now As the undocking coincided with the auspicious occasion of the first Monday of Shrawan month, Shubhanshu's family visited Shiv temple and performed 'Rudrabhishek' to pray for his safe return. "At the time of undocking, our hands were folded in prayer, and we were anxious. We kept praying silently and hoped everything goes well. The moment we heard that undocking was smooth, we all heaved a sigh of relief. It is not just pride, it is a deep sense of gratitude that he completed this mission safely. Now, we are waiting for him to return, and only then will we feel completely at peace," said Shubhanshu's father Shambhu Dayal Shukla. "In the morning, we visited Shiv temple and performed Rudrabhishek, lit lamps, and prayed with all our heart. Bholenath is our strength, and we have complete faith in Him for Shubhanshu's safe return. We are all excited to meet him, he will be kept in rehabilitation for seven days after which he will return home," he said. "We are fortunate to have a son like Shubhanshu. He has brought immense pride and joy to our family," Shukla said. Shubhanshu's mother Asha Shukla said, "Being a mother, I always pray for my children, but since the start of this mission, I have been praying even more every single day. I think about him constantly — if he is eating well, resting enough, and if he is safe. We had special prayers at home, lit lamps and offered flowers and prayed for his safe return." Tired of too many ads? go ad free now "Now that this part (undocking) of the journey is over, I feel a little relief, but my prayers will continue until he is back with us. I am very excited to meet him, and to welcome him home after his big achievement," she said. "It was a tense moment, and we were eagerly waiting for the updates. We will all go to receive him once he is back. We are not yet sure of the exact date when he will return to India, but we are confident that we will see him soon. From school friends and colleagues to neighbours, everyone is excited. We are all praying together and will keep doing so until the splashdown happens and he is safely back on earth," said Shubhanshu's sister, Suchi Shukla. Shubhanshu is expected to splash down on earth on Tuesday around 3pm IST. The splashdown timings carry a margin window of approximately one hour. The Dragon spacecraft is currently on a 22.5-hour journey back to earth. A live telecast of the splashdown will be held at the auditorium of the City Montessori School (CMS) on Kanpur Road campus.
