Latest news with #ShubanshuShukla
News18
3 days ago
- Science
- News18
How The ‘Swan' Soft Toy On Axiom-4 Headed To ISS Is Linked To Goddess Saraswati
Last Updated: As the Axiom-4 crew readies for liftoff, they'll bring along a plush swan named 'Joy'. When the Falcon-9 rocket launches from Florida's Kennedy Space Center on June 10, it will be carrying more than just astronauts and scientific gear. Joining the Axiom 4 mission crew aboard the SpaceX Dragon capsule will be a small plush swan named 'Joy.' This soft toy isn't just a sentimental item—it plays a meaningful role. In keeping with a long-standing space tradition, astronauts bring a small object to float freely once the spacecraft reaches orbit. It's a visual cue: the moment the toy begins to drift, the crew knows they've officially entered microgravity. But 'Joy' is more than just a zero-gravity indicator. The plush swan carries a deeply personal significance for each astronaut on board, symbolising emotion, connection, and the human side of space travel. Here's why this tiny companion holds such powerful meaning for the crew. Why Swan? During a pre-flight virtual press conference, all four members of the international Axiom-4 crew played a role in choosing the swan plush toy, selecting it as a shared cultural symbol that resonated with them all. For ISRO astronaut and Axiom-4 mission pilot Shubanshu Shukla, the swan holds profound spiritual and philosophical significance, making it a deeply personal choice as well as a meaningful representation for the crew. 'In Indian culture, the swan is the vehicle of goddess Saraswati, symbolising wisdom, learning, and purity. Swan is believed to have the rare ability to separate milk from water, representing purity, wisdom, and grace," Shukla said during the crew's pre-launch press briefing on Tuesday (June 3). 'Carrying this symbol reminds me of the delicate balance between knowledge and pressure, and it keeps me grounded in the values I hold dear. I feel inspired, fully prepared, and confident as I embark on this journey," Shukla added. Once in orbit, Shubanshu Shukla will make history as the second Indian to venture into space, following in the footsteps of Rakesh Sharma, who became the first nearly 40 years ago. Mission commander and America's most seasoned astronaut, Peggy Whitson, explained the significance behind the swan, saying, 'Joy symbolises the collective dreams of three nations coming together in their pursuit of human spaceflight. In India, the swan represents wisdom; in Poland, it reflects resilience; and in Hungary, it stands for grace. Through 'Joy,' we honour both our cultural differences and the unity that drives our shared mission in space." What Is Axiom-4 Mission? The Axiom-4 mission, a collaborative effort between Texas-based Axiom Space, SpaceX, and NASA, will send four astronauts to the International Space Station (ISS) for a two-week mission. The crew includes Mission Commander Peggy Whitson from the U.S., Mission Pilot Shubhanshu Shukla from India, and mission specialists Slawosz Uznanski-Wisniewski of Poland and Tibor Kapu of Hungary. Plush Toys In Space Taking a soft toy into space might seem light-hearted, but it's actually a long-standing tradition among astronauts. The use of zero-gravity indicators dates back to 1961, when Soviet cosmonaut Yuri Gagarin carried a small doll on his groundbreaking Vostok mission. The purpose was simple: once the doll started to float, it confirmed the spacecraft had entered zero gravity. Over the years, Russian space crews have kept this tradition alive, often taking along plush toys chosen by their children, adding a personal and sentimental touch to their journeys beyond Earth. The tradition of flying soft toys as zero-gravity indicators eventually crossed over to the United States after the space shuttle era. Today, crewed spacecraft from SpaceX, Boeing, and NASA's Artemis missions regularly include these floating companions to mark the arrival of weightlessness. Once aboard the International Space Station, 'Joy' the swan will join an eclectic collection of plush space travellers. Past zero-g mascots include 'Droog," a crocheted origami crane from SpaceX's Crew-10 mission, and a horn-blowing angel chosen by the Soyuz MS-27 crew, adding a touch of whimsy to space exploration. First Published:
Hans India
15-05-2025
- Hans India
Chhattisgarh-based techie arrested for pro-Pakistan slogans
Bengaluru: The police have arrested a youth who shouted pro-Pakistan slogans in a PG in Prashant Layout in Whitefield area of Bengaluru. The arrested person has been identified as 26-year-old Shubanshu Shukla from Chhattisgarh. He is an employee of an IT company in Bengaluru. It is learnt that the accused stood on the balcony and shouted pro-Pakistan slogans on May 9 at 12.30 am, while other youths in the PG were celebrating the success of 'Operation Sindoor' As soon as the pro-Pakistan slogans were heard, the other youths got scared that the terrorists had come here too. Two people were seen standing on the balcony. One of the two, Shubanshu, was seen shouting pro-Pak slogans. A youth in the PG opposite had recorded the scene on his mobile phone. Later, the youth there called the emergency helpline number 112 and informed them. Later, the police reached the spot and took both of them into custody. It was confirmed during interrogation that Shubanshu had shouted pro-Pak slogans, and the Whitefield police have registered a case against him. He has been arrested and sent to jail. The investigation is currently ongoing. It has been learnt that cases of shouting pro-Pak slogans and posting messages of sympathy for Pakistan on social media are increasing in Karnataka.
NDTV
03-05-2025
- Health
- NDTV
Indian Astronaut's Mission Could Revolutionise Space Travel For Diabetics
WHO figures suggest there are an estimated 77 million people above the age of suffering from diabetes (type 2) in India. Indian astronaut, Group Captain Shubanshu Shukla, who will fly to the International Space Station on May 29, will be conducting a key experiment on diabetes during his flight. The Axiom-4 space mission of four crew members will conduct research which may pave the way for diabetics to be included in the global astronaut corps. The study will be undertaken in micro-gravity conditions of the International Space Station during the fortnight-long mission. The experiment is called the "Suite Ride" initiative, and the effort marks a significant milestone in the long-term goal of supporting future astronauts with insulin-dependent diabetes (IDDM), a condition historically deemed disqualifying for spaceflight. The experiment is part of Axiom Space's multi-tiered approach, which aims to eventually demonstrate that astronauts with IDDM can be safely monitored, treated, and participate in off-planet missions. One person who will be keenly watching this experiment is India's Science Minister, Dr Jitendra Singh, a well-known diabetologist. The principal investigator for the study, Dr. Mohammad Fityan, Chief Medical Officer at Burjeel Holdings, Abu Dhabi, confirmed that no astronaut will be injected with insulin, but the crew will wear glucose monitoring equipment on the space flight to see how blood glucose levels fluctuate in the 'stressful environment of space'. They will be validating blood glucose monitoring, data transmission, as well as insulin viability aboard the International Space Station, he added. According to a 2024 World Health Organisation estimate, 14% of adults aged 18 years and older were living with diabetes, an increase from 7% in 1990, and about 830 million people worldwide have diabetes. India is considered the diabetes capital of the world. WHO figures suggest there are an estimated 77 million people above the age of suffering from diabetes (type 2) in India, and nearly 25 million are pre-diabetics, i.e, those at a higher risk of developing diabetes in the future. Burjeel Holdings PLC, a leading super-speciality healthcare provider in the Middle East and the North African region with headquarters in Abu Dhabi, which is spearheading the project, said, They will do groundbreaking mission-focused work on diabetes management in microgravity, along with Axiom Space. A pivotal moment in this research was the successful technical demonstration conducted on the Galactic 07 mission of 2024, which confirmed that commercially available insulin pens can deliver medication effectively in microgravity, adhering to International Organisation for Standardisation (ISO) guidelines. The promising results have laid the foundation for the upcoming mission that will take place in space. The Axiom-4 (Ax-4) mission will utilise Continuous Glucose Monitors (CGMs), which have become the standard for glucose monitoring in individuals with diabetes. These devices will be tested to ensure their accuracy in microgravity, providing real-time data that will ultimately support the health of astronauts with insulin-dependent diabetes. The comprehensive preflight, inflight, and post-flight protocols will employ various testing methods to validate these technologies. The Ax-4 mission also plans to look at insulin exposure in microgravity to assess the potency and stability of the drug product upon its return to Earth. Testing the behaviour of CGMs and insulin delivery technologies in microgravity and with circadian rhythm disruption is expected to advance the understanding of how such innovations can improve diabetes monitoring and care in remote or underserved areas on Earth. Experts say this research will lay the groundwork for managing diabetes in isolated locations, such as oil rigs, deserts, or rural regions. Dr Fityan said, "Space is a proving ground, as this research aims to provide invaluable data that will directly benefit underserved communities and difficult-to-reach areas across the globe." Dr Lucie Low, Chief Scientist, Axiom Space, said, "This may pave the way for the eventual flight of an astronaut with insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus IDDM. The successful demonstration of glucose monitoring on subjects without diabetes will next open the door to flying astronauts with non-insulin-dependent Type 2 diabetes, looking to prove that people with diabetes can one day thrive in the unique environment of space." Dr. Low added that "I am personally very excited about our 'Suite Ride' experiment because for Axiom, it means that we are enabling new opportunities for a more diverse crew to fly a future, as well as translating those results back into, hopefully, impacts for diabetic patients here on Earth." Sign up to read this article FREE! Exclusive Stories: Dive into content reserved just for members. Fewer Ads: A cleaner, more enjoyable reading experience. Enhanced Interface: Tailored just for you. Join Now – It's Free!
