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NDTV
2 days ago
- Science
- NDTV
Making Of India's Space Hero Shubhanshu Shukla, "Incredibly Intelligent, Wicked Smart"
In the golden hour of a historic monsoon morning, Air Vice Marshal Anupam Agarwal stood proud at Kartavya Path, reflecting on a journey that began six years ago and culminated in Gaganyatri Group Captain Shubhanshu Shukla's triumphant return from space. "Nothing could be better," he said, his voice tinged with emotion and pride. "We as a team are the luckiest people on Earth." The selection of Shukla, a 39-year-old fighter pilot from Lucknow, was no ordinary feat. As the youngest of the four astronaut designates trained under India's Gaganyaan program, Shukla's journey from the National Defence Academy to the stars is a testament to brilliance, resilience, and adaptability. Commissioned into the Indian Air Force in 2006, he has logged over 2,000 hours flying aircraft ranging from the Sukhoi-30 MKI to the An-32. Shukla spent three weeks in space and returned to Earth on July 15, becoming the first Indian to fly to the International Space Station on a SpaceX Falcon-9 rocket and crew Dragon named Grace. According to ISRO, Gaganyatri Shubhanshu Shukla was flown to Houston for a week-long rehabilitation program to mitigate any 'adverse effects of microgravity.' When experiencing microgravity, the human body undergoes several changes, like fluid shift, heart rate, balance readjustment, and muscle loss. These are mere adaptations to the new environment. Upon returning to gravity, the body adjusts again, said Shukla. Though it varies for all astronauts, the body soon starts adapting to its new environment. "I was surprised to observe the pace with which our body can adjust to new settings," he added. But what truly sets Shukla apart, according to Air Vice Marshal Agarwal, who is currently the Assistant Chief of Air Staff (Medical) in the Air Headquarters, is not just his technical prowess. "He is incredibly intelligent," Mr Agarwal said. "I can't disclose his intelligence scores, but he is right on top there. He's so bright, yet so funny. So serious, and yet someone who can find the best in a bad situation." This rare blend of intellect and emotional balance is what made Shukla the ideal candidate. "In an astronaut, that's the best thing you can have," Mr Agarwal explained. "Even in a difficult situation, he keeps his cool, finds something humorous, and remains positive throughout." Shukla's American commander on the Axiom-4 flight or what is often called Mission Akash Ganga, Astronaut Peggy Whitson, speaking to NDTV, described him as "wicked smart." Incidentally, in America, "wicked smart" is a colloquial expression that means "extremely clever." Adaptability, Mr Agarwal emphasised, is the cornerstone of astronaut selection. "Space is the toughest endeavour humankind undertakes. Anything can go wrong at any point in time. You want someone who can play it on the go." The challenge of Gaganyaan is immense. "Only three countries have launched humans from their soil using indigenous technology, Russia, the USA, and China," Mr Agarwal noted. "Some of the best nations have tried and given up. That tells you how tough it is." He likened the complexity of human spaceflight to the challenges of exponential growth. "Put a satellite inside a rocket, and you know how it behaves. Put a human, and you're dealing with moods, heartbeats, lungs that breathe differently. Add more humans, and the complexity multiplies." Selecting astronauts in 2019 meant looking 20 years ahead. "You don't want to train someone only to find out his heart isn't behaving well a decade later," Mr Agarwal said. "Mental fitness is even more critical. A mentally fit person is more important than a physically fit one." He elaborated, "You might send a diabetic into space, but never a neurotic. In a crisis, you need someone who will go ahead and deal with it, take it in stride." The Institute of Aerospace Medicine, Bengaluru, an Indian Air Force special unit, which Mr Agarwal once headed, played a pivotal role in this selection. "It's a hidden jewel of the Indian Air Force". "We got to interact with the best test pilots and fighter pilots in the country. Selecting four out of a population of 1.4 billion-statistically, they're among the 24 best in the world." Shukla's mission, launched from the iconic Launch Complex 39A at Kennedy Space Center, the same pad from which Astronaut Neil Armstrong lifted off in 1969 for his moon landing, adds a poetic symmetry to India's space journey. "It's a golden moment in history," Mr Agarwal said. As Shukla now undertakes his post-launch rehabilitation, the nation watches with pride and anticipation. His story is not just one of personal achievement but a symbol of India's cosmic aspirations. Shukla is expected back in India around Independence Day. "Everything is special about him," Mr Agarwal concluded. "He's the kind of person who makes you believe that India's place among the stars is not just a dream-it's destiny."
India.com
6 days ago
- India.com
What is Dror-1? A game-changer technology developed by Israel which will work like a 'smartphone' in space? Know its specialties
What is Dror-1? A game-changer texhnology developed by Israel which will work like a 'smartphone' in space? Know its specialties Israel's new satellite: Following a war with Iran and in a big step towards global security, communication and strategic balance, Israel has launched its first fully government and indigenous communication satellite 'Dror-1'. This satellite is a geostationary satellite as well as equipped with technology like 'space smartphone'. Know more specifics about the missile. What is Dror-1? Israel's first fully government-funded and locally-made communication satellite was launched from Cape Canaveral in the US on a SpaceX Falcon-9 rocket. Such geostationary satellites remain stationary at a fixed point about 36,000 km above the Earth. How will it work? Just like apps, networks and settings can be changed in a smartphone, Dror-1 can also be reprogrammed from the ground in real time as per the mission. It can change its beam and focus to cover different areas like war, disaster, strategic communication. Why is it important for Israel? This is the country's first government-owned satellite. Earlier satellites (like Amos-6) were owned by private companies, which also had technical accidents. Dror-1 has strengthened Israel's sovereignty, self-reliance and strategic control. Its cost has been estimated to be around Rs 1,670 crore. Israel is a geopolitically sensitive country. Any major space or defense project of Israel has strategic importance for the Middle East, America, Europe and Asia. Making a high-tech communication satellite with 100% domestic technology of Dror-1 can become a roadmap for many countries. Will it impact India? India has a number of advanced communication satellites, many based on indigenous technology and owned by the government. India has started work on reconfigurable payloads (such as Software Defined Radio, SDR). ISRO is now moving towards full indigenous capabilities in this area.
NDTV
15-07-2025
- Science
- NDTV
Exclusive - 'Would Not Have Allowed Axiom Launch If Issues Weren't Fixed': ISRO Chief
New Delhi: Group Captain Shubhanshu Shukla has returned to Earth after spending 18 days at the International Space Station. He became the second Indian after Wing Commander Rakesh Sharma to go to space since 1984 and the first Indian to go to the space station. But the Axiom-4 mission, of which Group Captain Shukla was a part, faced multiple delays before its liftoff. One of the delays was due to a crack in one of the liquid oxygen lines, which was identified after ISRO - led by Dr V Narayanan - insisted on due diligence, a step that averted a major space disaster. The ISRO chief spoke to NDTV and said the Indian space agency would not have allowed the launch of the mission if the SpaceX team had not rectified the problem in the Falcon-9 rocket. How ISRO Averted A Space Disaster On June 10, a day before the scheduled lift-off, a liquid oxygen leak (LOX) was identified on the booster of the Falcon-9 rocket, but it was not fully repaired during refurbishment. Despite the leak, the SpaceX team decided to launch the ailing rocket, with four astronauts, including Shubhanshu Shukla, to space, but ISRO became aware of it and decided to put its foot down to ensure full correction. NDTV was the first to report that there was a leak on the Falcon-9 rocket, which was tasked to carry the four astronauts - Peggy Whitson from the US, Shubhanshu Shukla from India, Slawosz Uzananski-Wisniewski from Poland and Tibor Kapu from Hungary. Today, Dr Narayanan told NDTV, "The safety of Gaganyatri and the other three astronauts is a primary thing. We told them to correct the rocket, and only then will we authorise it. There were a lot of differences in our opinions. Based on our insistence, the launch was called off. After that, they located the leak point, and it was a crack, and everything was corrected. Because of that, it was a successful mission and we (ISRO) had a successful liftoff of the Falcon rocket; otherwise, there would have been a severe problem." "Based on the Indian education system, Indian knowledge and the ISRO team, we stopped and insisted on correction and as a team, finally it was corrected, and we ensured the safe liftoff," the ISRO chief said. The ISRO chief made a revelation in his interview with NDTV that the Indian space agency decided to put its foot down and said that if the problems are not fixed, it will not allow give its go-ahead to the mission because the "safety of astronauts is the primary thing". #NDTVExclusive | ISRO Chief V Narayanan said that they would have pulled out #ShubhanshuShukla from the mission if the cracks in the fuel tanks were not fixed prior to the liftoff @vishnundtv — NDTV (@ndtv) July 15, 2025 A highly qualified 13-member ISRO team, stationed at the Kennedy Space Centre in Florida, was not convinced by the "band-aid-like" solution of a 'purge' offered by SpaceX on the oxidiser line leak. The ISRO chief is a top expert on liquid engines and was part of the team that helped India build a cryogenic engine. He is aware of the risks of a liquid oxygen leak. The cracked portion was replaced after Dr Narayanan's insistence, and adequate tests were carried out on the health of the repaired system. Earlier, ISRO said, "During a follow-on coordination meeting between ISRO, Axiom Space, and SpaceX, it was confirmed that the liquid oxygen leak observed in the Falcon 9 launch vehicle has been successfully resolved." 'Working Hard To Make Gaganyaan Program A Success' The ISRO chief said that Shubhanshu Shukla is a Gaganyaatri (Indian astronaut) and part of the Gaganyaan mission - India's crewed flight to space. The team at ISRO is elated to see their colleague return from space after conducting several experiments at the ISS. The agency's chief said, "We are all working hard to make the Gaganyaan mission a success." "The Gaganyaan program was approved by Prime Minister Modi in 2018, and this development involves a lot of things. We have to make a human-rated launch vehicle, the orbital module, crew escape system, environmental control system, parachutes, the entire mission management, and the recovery studies," he said. The ISRO chief said they consulted Wing Commander Rakesh Sharma for the mission. In 2023, the Prime Minister felt the need to send one of the four Gaganyaatri to the space station, and then ISRO signed an MoU with NASA.
New Indian Express
15-07-2025
- Science
- New Indian Express
Even stars are attainable: Shubanshu Shukla
BENGALURU: Terming his 18-day stay on the International Space Station (ISS) incredible, Group Captain and astronaut Shubanshu Shukla encouraged science and space enthusiasts and said if one decides to do something, then even the stars are attainable. This message is different from the message Shux shared with Prime Minister Narendra Modi and the students during his interaction from the ISS- 'Sky is never the limit'. Shukla and his three crewmates of the Axiom-4 space mission from the US, Hungary, and Poland were given a farewell after their 18-day stay on the ISS. The ISRO's Gaganyatri recollected the words his mentor—Rakesh Sharma, the first Indian in space—had said from space when the then PM Indira Gandhi had asked him how India looks from space. 'Today I will tell how India looks: Today's India from space looks ambitious, fearless, confident and filled with pride. With all these reasons I can once again, even today, say, Sare Jahan Se Acha Dikhta Hai. We will meet on Earth soon,' Shukla said. He thanked the Expedition-73 crew members onboard the ISS, the NASA and ISRO teams, scientists, researchers, and the students for the experiments and the science outreach activities. 'Apart from conducting experiments, during the two-and-a-half weeks, I used to look back at Earth from the window during whatever time I used to get. The entire journey, including the time on Falcon-9 from June 25, has been incredible and magical. This mission has far-reaching implications beyond science. Going back from space to my country, I carry with me a lot of memories and the learning of the mission that I would spread back. One thing that will stick to me is what humanity is capable of when all of us come together from different parts of the world and work for a common goal,' he said. He also told the 140 crore Indians that this space journey does not end here. 'It is much longer and will have some difficulties, but if everyone decides, then even the stars are attainable,' he added.
NDTV
14-07-2025
- Science
- NDTV
Shubhanshu Shukla Performs Zero-Gravity Tricks With Water On ISS
New Delhi: 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.
