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NDTV
22-07-2025
- 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."
NDTV
15-07-2025
- Science
- NDTV
Shubhanshu Shukla's Space Journey Ends Soon, Will Splash Down Near San Diego
New Delhi: India's Gaganyatri Group Captain Shubhanshu Shukla is on his way back from orbiting laboratory, travelling in SpaceX's crew capsule named Grace. It is a 22.5-hour journey from the space station and he is expected to splash down off the coast of California near San Diego at about 3 PM. Union Science Minister Dr Jitendra Singh said, 'The entire nation eagerly awaits your arrival'. Shukla is the first Indian to have visited the $150 billion orbiting space laboratory. Axiom Space, the private space company that brokered this visit for NASA and ISRO costing India nearly $70 million, said, 'after approximately 433 hours, 18 days, and 288 orbits around Earth covering nearly 12.2 million kilometres since docking with the International Space Station, the Axiom Mission 4 (Ax-4) crew is officially homeward bound'. This would be about 32 times the distance between the Earth and the Moon. With this, Shukla has become the first Indian to have orbited the Earth 288 times. In Shukla's conversation with Prime Minister Narendra Modi on June 28, PM Modi had remarked on the ancient Indian tradition of undertaking a 'parikrama' and Shukla was doing a circumambulation or orbiting the Earth. Each Indian has contributed about Rs 4 to help Shukla take this historic first firm footsteps for India's human space program, Gaganyaan. Now after his return, the payback will begin. The Axiom-4 crew, a mission sometimes also referred to as Mission Akash Ganga, comprised of American astronaut Commander Peggy Whitson, Pilot Shubhanshu Shukla, and Mission Specialists Slawosz Uznanski-Wisniewski and Tibor Kapu. The crew undocked from the orbiting laboratory on July 14 at 4:15 am, marking the conclusion of their onboard mission. Interestingly, NASA announced that the return journey for Shukla began when he was still at the ISS and was very close to the east coast of India but some 400 kilometres above Earth orbiting attached to the ISS. The actual undocking happened when Shukla was over the Bay of Bengal. The crew is now en route to Earth, with splashdown off the coast of California expected on July 15, at approximately 3.01 pm. Their return home will span roughly 22.5 hours. The splashdown will happen close to the beautiful city of San Diego. Axiom Space says, Ax-4 was not only a scientific success but also a historic milestone for India, Poland, and Hungary. For the first time in over four decades, these nations launched national astronauts into space, and for the first time, their astronauts lived and worked aboard the International Space Station. This mission marked a new chapter in space exploration for these nations, paving the way for future missions and inspiring broader participation in the global space community. As the crew returns to Earth, they're bringing back impactful scientific data and testaments of teamwork, perseverance, and a mission that united people from across the globe. Their time in space is a reminder that when nations work side by side, we can go farther, not just in distance, but in what we are capable of achieving together. This mission not only marks Shukla as the second Indian astronaut in space, following Wing Commander Rakesh Sharma's historic flight in 1984m but also positions India as a serious contender in the global space community. Sharma spent a little over seven days in space aboard the Soviet space station Salyut-7. Now, Shukla has become the first Indian to visit the ISS and has spent nearly three weeks in space. Incidentally, Shukla was not even born when Sharma undertook that journey, but 39-year-old Shukla is truly defining the future of human space flight for India. During his stay aboard the ISS, Shukla conducted seven India-specific microgravity experiments, showcasing India's growing capabilities in space science and technology. These experiments are designed to generate critical data for future planetary missions and long-duration space habitation. India's cosmic leap's phase one will come to an end with the Axiom-4 mission, but the hard part will begin now, when Shukla gets down to translate his learnings to India's human space flight program Gaganyaan. India has allocated nearly Rs 33,000 crores for the Gaganyaan program, leading up to landing an Indian on the moon by 2040. After his splashdown down Shukla will undergo a medical rehabilitation of about a week to adjust to the gravity.
NDTV
04-07-2025
- Science
- NDTV
Indian Ham Radio Operator Will Connect With Astronaut Shubhanshu Shukla
New Delhi: In a unique space to Earth Communications Bridge, India's orbiting Gaganyatri Group Captain Shubhanshu Shukla will hold a conversation with a special audience at ISRO's UR Rao Satellite Center in Bengaluru today. This dialogue possibly with students will not be done via a regular video link but by using the old-fashioned technology called HAM radio. In an age dominated by smartphones and social media, a century-old hobby continues to quietly shape the world of communication, science, and public service. Ham Radio, also known as Amateur Radio, is more than just a pastime - it's a global, technology-driven social network that has connected millions across continents, from students and astronauts to royalty and farmers. Often hailed as the "King of Hobbies," Ham Radio allows individuals to communicate wirelessly with others around the world using home-built transmitters and receivers. But its significance goes far beyond casual conversation. From the Titanic disaster to the recent Cyclone Fani, Ham Radio has played a vital role in emergency communication during natural calamities, often serving as the only lifeline when conventional networks fail. India is home to over 38,000 licensed Ham Radio operators, spanning diverse professions and age groups. Among them stands a towering figure, BA Subramani (call sign: VU2WMY), Station Director of ISRO's Upagrah Amateur Radio Club and Director of the Educational Outreach Programme at AMSAT India. His journey from a Space Simulation Engineer to a national leader in amateur satellite communication is a testament to the transformative power of this hobby. After a long career at India's space agency, he retired and now runs this Ham radio network as serious hobby. Astronaut Shukla will connect with the Indian audience at 3:47 pm India time and a select group of special invitees will be able to dialogue with Shukla. Subramani joined ISRO in 1984 and has since been instrumental in conducting space environmental simulation tests for landmark missions such as Chandrayaan-1, Mars Orbiter Mission, and Chandrayaan-2. His expertise spans spacecraft testing at subsystem, system, and full spacecraft levels, ensuring mission readiness under simulated space conditions. A licensed Radio Ham since 1986, Subramani holds an Advanced Grade license with the call sign VU2WMY. He is active across all amateur frequency bands and modes, including cutting-edge software-based digital modes. With over 10,000 radio contacts spanning 150 countries - including Antarctica - his reach is truly global. But Subramani's contributions extend far beyond personal achievements. He has played a pivotal role in the upkeep and operations of ISRO's Ham Radio station, and is a founding member of AMSAT-India, an organisation dedicated to designing and launching amateur satellites. His technical acumen has been crucial in configuring, testing, and evaluating HAMSAT payloads, and he has supported telemetry tracking for student-built satellites like STUDSAT, SRMSAT, JUGNU, and others. One of his most notable achievements includes activating the Amateur Radio APRS payload onboard the spent stage of the PSLV C45 rocket, showcasing how Ham Radio can be integrated into mainstream space missions. He has also provided emergency communication support during disasters such as the Latur earthquake, Odisha cyclones, and the 2004 tsunami, where he operated uninterrupted Ham Radio services for 16 days in Cuddalore. Subramani's passion for education is equally commendable. He is actively involved in establishing amateur satellite ground stations at schools and engineering colleges, training students and faculty in real-time satellite tracking, telemetry decoding, and space communication. His outreach includes over 175 lectures and hands-on workshops across India, covering topics like Short Wave Listening, Software Defined Radios (SDR), visual spotting of satellites, and life aboard the International Space Station. Ham Radio's relevance in today's digital age is profound. It offers a gateway to understanding electronics and communication technology, especially valuable for those from non-technical backgrounds. With simple equipment and free software, enthusiasts can receive real-time telemetry and payload data from satellites, track space objects, and even interact with astronauts aboard the ISS. As the world embraces space exploration and satellite technology, Ham Radio remains a powerful tool for education, innovation, and public service. And in India, BA Subramani stands as a beacon of what this hobby can achieve - bridging the gap between amateur passion and professional excellence, and inspiring a new generation to look to the skies not just with wonder, but with purpose. Subramani will make history when he speaks to Gaganyatri Shukla and is able to convey the excitement of how India reached the International Space Station.
NDTV
03-07-2025
- Science
- NDTV
Indian Ham Radio Operator Will Connect With Astronaut Shubhashu Shukla
New Delhi: In a unique space to Earth Communications Bridge, India's orbiting Gaganyatri Group Captain Shubhanshu Shukla will hold a conversation with a special audience at ISRO's UR Rao Satellite Center in Bengaluru tomorrow. This dialogue possibly with students will not be done via a regular video link but by using the old-fashioned technology called HAM radio. In an age dominated by smartphones and social media, a century-old hobby continues to quietly shape the world of communication, science, and public service. Ham Radio, also known as Amateur Radio, is more than just a pastime - it's a global, technology-driven social network that has connected millions across continents, from students and astronauts to royalty and farmers. Often hailed as the "King of Hobbies," Ham Radio allows individuals to communicate wirelessly with others around the world using home-built transmitters and receivers. But its significance goes far beyond casual conversation. From the Titanic disaster to the recent Cyclone Fani, Ham Radio has played a vital role in emergency communication during natural calamities, often serving as the only lifeline when conventional networks fail. India is home to over 38,000 licensed Ham Radio operators, spanning diverse professions and age groups. Among them stands a towering figure, BA Subramani (call sign: VU2WMY), Station Director of ISRO's Upagrah Amateur Radio Club and Director of the Educational Outreach Programme at AMSAT India. His journey from a Space Simulation Engineer to a national leader in amateur satellite communication is a testament to the transformative power of this hobby. After a long career at India's space agency, he retired and now runs this Ham radio network as serious hobby. Astronaut Shukla will connect with the Indian audience at 3:47 pm India time and a select group of special invitees will be able to dialogue with Shukla. Subramani joined ISRO in 1984 and has since been instrumental in conducting space environmental simulation tests for landmark missions such as Chandrayaan-1, Mars Orbiter Mission, and Chandrayaan-2. His expertise spans spacecraft testing at subsystem, system, and full spacecraft levels, ensuring mission readiness under simulated space conditions. A licensed Radio Ham since 1986, Subramani holds an Advanced Grade license with the call sign VU2WMY. He is active across all amateur frequency bands and modes, including cutting-edge software-based digital modes. With over 10,000 radio contacts spanning 150 countries - including Antarctica - his reach is truly global. But Subramani's contributions extend far beyond personal achievements. He has played a pivotal role in the upkeep and operations of ISRO's Ham Radio station, and is a founding member of AMSAT-India, an organisation dedicated to designing and launching amateur satellites. His technical acumen has been crucial in configuring, testing, and evaluating HAMSAT payloads, and he has supported telemetry tracking for student-built satellites like STUDSAT, SRMSAT, JUGNU, and others. One of his most notable achievements includes activating the Amateur Radio APRS payload onboard the spent stage of the PSLV C45 rocket, showcasing how Ham Radio can be integrated into mainstream space missions. He has also provided emergency communication support during disasters such as the Latur earthquake, Odisha cyclones, and the 2004 tsunami, where he operated uninterrupted Ham Radio services for 16 days in Cuddalore. Subramani's passion for education is equally commendable. He is actively involved in establishing amateur satellite ground stations at schools and engineering colleges, training students and faculty in real-time satellite tracking, telemetry decoding, and space communication. His outreach includes over 175 lectures and hands-on workshops across India, covering topics like Short Wave Listening, Software Defined Radios (SDR), visual spotting of satellites, and life aboard the International Space Station. Ham Radio's relevance in today's digital age is profound. It offers a gateway to understanding electronics and communication technology, especially valuable for those from non-technical backgrounds. With simple equipment and free software, enthusiasts can receive real-time telemetry and payload data from satellites, track space objects, and even interact with astronauts aboard the ISS. As the world embraces space exploration and satellite technology, Ham Radio remains a powerful tool for education, innovation, and public service. And in India, BA Subramani stands as a beacon of what this hobby can achieve - bridging the gap between amateur passion and professional excellence, and inspiring a new generation to look to the skies not just with wonder, but with purpose. Subramani will make history when he speaks to Gaganyatri Shukla and is able to convey the excitement of how India reached the International Space Station.
