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Hindustan Times
a day ago
- Entertainment
- Hindustan Times
From no alcohol to vegetarian food, inside Shubhanshu Shukla's ISS farewell
Close your eyes and picture a farewell party. We're sure you're thinking of music, food and a few teary-eyed hugs. But when the goodbye happens hundreds of kilometers above Earth, the situation looks a little different. Aboard the International Space Station, Indian astronaut Shubhanshu Shukla recently received a send-off that was minimal. No clinking glasses, no lavish spread – just floating food pouches, warm camaraderie and a sense of shared achievement, reports News18. Also, in keeping with ISRO tradition, there was no non-vegetarian fare. Shubhanshu Shukla, 39, is a Group Captain and test pilot in the Indian Air Force (HT_PRINT) 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.
News18
2 days ago
- Entertainment
- News18
No Alcohol, No Meat? What Was Allowed By NASA At Shubhanshu Shukla's ISS Farewell?
Last Updated: Shubhanshu Shukla's farewell on the ISS was streamed live, featuring no alcohol or non-veg food. NASA's rules ensure pre-approved meals and video call goodbyes When we picture a farewell party, we imagine music, food, maybe a few drinks, and some heartfelt goodbyes. But when the send-off happens 400 kms above Earth, like the one recently held for Indian astronaut Shubhanshu Shukla aboard the International Space Station (ISS), the rules are very different. No champagne toasts. No buffet table. And definitely no non-veg. Shukla and a few fellow astronauts were honored in a small, carefully scripted farewell ceremony on the ISS, streamed live back to Earth. The event prompted a flurry of curiosity online: What exactly happens at a space farewell? Do astronauts eat cake? Is music allowed? Can they talk to family? Here's how it works. The ISS might look laid-back in photos, with astronauts floating around grinning in T-shirts, but NASA and its international partners have laid down a dense manual of rules. These stem from the 1998 Intergovernmental Agreement and the Crew Code of Conduct (CCOC), documents signed by agencies like NASA, Roscosmos, ESA, JAXA, and CSA. Any crew gathering, including farewells, must be coordinated with Earth-based mission control centres in Houston and Moscow. These aren't parties in the traditional sense. They're brief, structured ceremonies where the departing astronauts thank colleagues, reflect on the mission, and hand over responsibilities to the incoming team. So What's Actually Served? Forget space steaks or a glass of wine. NASA bans alcohol, non-vegetarian food, and any intoxicants aboard the ISS. Meals are limited to pre-approved dehydrated or thermostabilised food, prepared weeks in advance and vacuum-sealed for zero-gravity handling. At most, astronauts might 'celebrate" with a snack pack of rehydrated mac and cheese or a bar of chocolate. Any item not previously cleared, down to utensils, can't be used. Even the smell of strong food is considered disruptive in a closed-loop system like the ISS, where air is recycled and shared. Music? Maybe Astronauts are allowed to play music, but only if it doesn't interrupt station communications or disturb experiments. There are no impromptu karaoke sessions or loud goodbyes. Every action, every sound, is logged and monitored from Earth. Family Time, Through A Screen One emotional part of the farewell is the video call with family, conducted with support from mission control. Astronauts float in microgravity, waving goodbye and sharing final thoughts before undocking. These messages are often moving and symbolic, emphasising unity, cooperation, and the high-stakes nature of human spaceflight. In Shubhanshu Shukla's case, it was also a moment of national pride. An Indian astronaut taking part in such ceremonies marks a quiet but significant milestone for India's presence in space exploration. view comments First Published: July 14, 2025, 13:01 IST Disclaimer: Comments reflect users' views, not News18's. Please keep discussions respectful and constructive. Abusive, defamatory, or illegal comments will be removed. News18 may disable any comment at its discretion. By posting, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy.
