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India Today
3 hours ago
- Science
- India Today
Earth has no borders from space: Shubhanshu Shukla features in new NCERT textbook
Group Captain Shubhanshu Shukla, the first Indian to visit the International Space Station (ISS), has been featured in the newly published NCERT Class 5 Environmental Studies textbook titled 'Our Wondrous World.'A stirring excerpt from his 18-day Axiom4 mission is included in the chapter 'Earth, Our Shared Home', highlighting a powerful message of planetary a conversation with Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Shukla described his view of the Earth from space, saying: 'After seeing Earth from outside, the first thought that came to mind was that Earth looks completely one; no border is visible from outside. It seems that no border exists, no state exists, no countries exist. We all are part of humanity, and the Earth is our one home, and all of us are in it.'advertisement This quote aims to help young learners embrace global citizenship and empathy for the PEDAGOGY BEHIND THE TEXTBOOKOur Wondrous World is part of NCERT's 'The World Around Us' series and reflects the holistic educational vision of NEP integrates Science, Social Science, and Environmental Studies in a narrative that promotes ethical reasoning, environmental awareness, and experiential textbook includes chapters introducing innovations like DIGIPIN, a 10character digital address code system, to make geography and location mapping also guides students with practical content such as flood safety tips, health hygiene, food preservation techniques, and microbial concepts, enhancing life skills DIVERSITY AND INTERACTIVE LEARNINGBeyond scientific topics, Our Wondrous World celebrates India's diversity through chapters on cultural symbols, regional dance, national heroes, and unique places such as Majuli Island, the Sundarbans, and Hiware elements like nature walks, model making, journal writing, and interviews encourage students to observe, hypothesise, experiment, and conclude, fostering a foundation for scientific UNITY AND ENQUIRY AMONG YOUNG LEARNERSFeaturing Shukla's message underscores the textbook's mission to nurture young minds to think beyond borders. In the aftermath of India's growing presence in space science -- marked by Shukla's return on July15 -- this inclusion bridges modern achievements with ethical and global Class5 textbook offers an essential template for integrating real-world insights, national pride, and globe-centered thinking into early education -- guiding students to see their planet as a shared home without divisions.- Ends
Economic Times
a day ago
- Science
- Economic Times
50 years on, a pioneering ISRO project underlines tech's value in real-life use, not just in missions
Streaming from space Space has, once again, captured the imagination of people around the world. India, too, has seen a resurgence of interest in space, most recently through Shubhanshu Shukla's mission to International Space Station (ISS). However, the glamour and media coverage are mainly restricted to such missions, and are missing for programmes of technology it is the applications that justify the investments in space, especially for a developing country like India with so many alternative demands on resources. It is for this reason that India was a pioneer in the use of space tech for societal benefit. This year marks the 50th anniversary of a global milestone in this area. It was on August 1, 1975, that the Satellite Instructional Television Experiment (SITE) began, with its first broadcast. A collaborative India-US effort, SITE took educational and development TV programmes to specially installed community TV receivers in about 2,400 villages in six states. Programmes, beamed up to Nasa's ATS-6 satellite from Earth stations in Ahmedabad and Delhi, were received in these villages through a 10-ft diameter antenna and an electronic converter - a precursor to DTH (direct-to-home). The six states were selected keeping in mind India's diversity. And, within them, the most backward districts were chosen. The villages were often remote and included, in Orissa, unelectrified villages where TV sets were operated on batteries. TV sets, for community viewing, were installed in schools or panchayat ghars where all - irrespective of caste and class - had free access.A young team, led by a few stalwarts like SITE programme manager E V Chitnis - who turns 100 today - worked with passion and deep commitment. Engineers ensured that TV sets in remote villages were maintained so well that their downtime was lower than those in urban homes. Social scientists visited these villages - some lived there for 15 months - to research the impact. Programme-makers, almost all fresh graduates from Film and Television Institute (FTII), Pune, were recruited by Isro to make the science education programmes, while Doordarshan set up special studios to make programmes specifically for each state. Local language, area-specific broadcasts took the latest agricultural practices to farmers in SITE villages. Education programmes for primary school children aimed at the 'enrichment' of classroom teaching. A special teacher training programme - in person and supported by TV broadcasts - conducted in partnership with NCERT and the education ministry, covered 45,000 teachers in two sessions. Apart from state-specific broadcasts, a common 'national programme' for 30 mins each day was beamed to all six states. Concerned about the centralising potential of satellite broadcasting, SITE also included a decentralised set-up: India's first district-level rural TV station in Kheda district (the home of Amul), Gujarat. This served as the model for expansion of TV through low-power transmitters (LPTs). The Kheda Communications Project was an experiment in participatory communication and won wide acclaim, including Unesco's first Rural Communication Prize. Hailed by Arthur Clarke as 'the greatest communication experiment in history', SITE drew worldwide recognition. As the first-ever large-scale use of direct broadcasting from a satellite, SITE took TV into the depths of rural India, reaching disadvantaged people even before TV reached most urban areas. While it lacked the heart-stopping drama of a rocket launch, or the heart-in-mouth climax of the last tragic moments of Chandrayaan-2, it had many heart-warming awe, novelty and magic of seeing a moving picture come out of a box - most people in SITE villages had never been to a cinema - the excitement and spark in the eyes of children watching educational programmes: these moments will stay forever with those involved in SITE. Probably in the one year of SITE, we learned more than the villagers. SITE embodied Vikram Sarabhai's vision for Isro, which was based on two primary strands: knowledge creation, and its use for practical benefit. The former, encompassing space science, began with cosmic ray research, using balloons and sounding rockets, and progressed to the Mars mission, the successful Chandrayaan landing and the solar observatory, Aditya. Both strands were based on the philosophy of self-reliance where possible, and cooperation or collaboration where necessary. SITE exemplified this. All the ground hardware was designed, developed and made in India; the satellite and its launch were by the US. Today, India has moved many notches up with Nisar (Nasa-Isro Synthetic Aperture Radar) mission scheduled for launch on July paced and dictated technology development, the latter not being a goal in itself. To be the 'first' or 'fifth' country to do something was never an objective, and vanity projects were articulation of this - which one hopes continues to be Isro's north star - is best expressed in Sarabhai's words: '...there is no ambiguity of purpose. We do not have the fantasy of competing with the economically advanced nations in the exploration of the moon or the planets or manned space-flight. But... if we are to play a meaningful role nationally, and in the community of nations, we must be second to none in the application of advanced technologies to the real problems of man and society.' An apt reminder on SITE@ writer worked in Isro for over 2 decades, and was deeply involved in SITE (Disclaimer: The opinions expressed in this column are that of the writer. The facts and opinions expressed here do not reflect the views of Elevate your knowledge and leadership skills at a cost cheaper than your daily tea. Can victims of Jane Street scam be compensated by investor protection funds? Did the likes of TCS, Infosys, Wipro let India down in AI race? How India's oil arbitrage has hit the European sanctions wall Apple has a new Indian-American COO. What it needs might be a new CEO. Stock Radar: Tata Chemicals breaks out from 1-month consolidation; time to buy the dip? Power sector companies: Will they be able to outperform? 5 power stocks with an upside potential ranging from 6 to 29% For risk-takers with long-term perspective: 7 mid-cap stocks from different sectors with upside potential of over 26% Multibagger or IBC - Part 16: Regulatory tailwind turns compliance into cash. This auto ancillary could be a winner
NDTV
a day ago
- Science
- NDTV
Shubhanshu Shukla Shares His Astrophotography Journey: "Over Time We Got Better"
Shubhanshu Shukla, one of the four Indian Gaganyatris who recently returned from the International Space Station (ISS) as part of the Axiom 4 mission, has shared impressive images of the Orion Nebula. Posted on his newly created X (formerly Twitter) account, the photographs were captured from his rooftop in Bengaluru. The images show close-up views of the Orion Nebula, with the Horsehead Nebula clearly visible in the centre. The photographs clicked on the station take some time to received, verified and cleared because of the multiple space agencies involved. While I wait for them I wanted to share an astrophotography story. I started into astrophotography upon returning to India after my first leg… — Shubhanshu Shukla (@gagan_shux) July 24, 2025 Shukla, who is currently undergoing medical evaluations and post-mission recovery, began astrophotography after returning from training in Star City, Russia. He revealed that he often spent free time in the Cupola (a panoramic viewing module on the ISS) capturing views of Earth and outer space. He has promised to release more images and videos taken during his stay in space. These include footage of scientific experiments conducted in microgravity, which ISRO plans to use for educational outreach. The Axiom 4 mission, which included international participation, is seen as a key milestone for ISRO's human spaceflight program, Gaganyaan. The experience gained will support future missions and help ISRO refine its procedures. ISRO is currently preparing for its first uncrewed Gaganyaan flight, expected by the end of 2025, followed by its first crewed mission in 2027.
Time of India
4 days ago
- Health
- Time of India
NASA reports shocking vision changes in astronauts after months in space with long-term eye damage risks
Source: NASA Spending extended periods in zero gravity is no small feat for the human body, and one of the most pressing concerns emerging from long-duration space missions is the impact on astronauts' vision health. As crew members spend six months or more aboard the International Space Station (ISS), NASA has documented a range of eye-related symptoms, now grouped under the condition called Space-Associated Neuro-Ocular Syndrome ( SANS ). Fluid shifts in microgravity drive the phenomenon and could present serious challenges for deep space missions like those to the Moon or Mars. Let's explore the condition, causes, research efforts, and potential solutions. NASA finds microgravity causes vision changes in space station astronauts When astronauts began staying in space for longer durations, subtle but troubling changes in their eyesight became increasingly common. Many noticed the sudden need for stronger reading glasses, while flight surgeons and researchers identified specific physiological changes such as: Swelling of the optic disc, where the optic nerve connects to the retina Flattening of the eyeball, altering its shape and impairing focus by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like AirSense 11 – Smart tech for deep sleep ResMed Buy Now Undo These symptoms are now collectively known as Space-Associated Neuro-Ocular Syndrome (SANS), and represent a critical health risk that could hinder long-term human space exploration. Source: NASA How fluid redistribution in zero gravity triggers SANS One of the primary factors contributing to SANS is the redistribution of fluids in the absence of gravity. On Earth, gravity pulls fluids toward the lower body. But in microgravity, blood and cerebrospinal fluid tend to move toward the head. This 'headward' shift increases pressure in the skull and behind the eyes, potentially leading to structural changes. To address this, NASA is currently testing the Thigh Cuff experiment, in which astronauts wear tight bands around their thighs to trap blood in the lower body. If successful, this could prevent or even reverse the upward fluid migration—and may also help patients on Earth dealing with similar issues due to bed rest or certain diseases. NASA uses advanced imaging to study vision changes in astronauts NASA and its global partners have conducted numerous pioneering studies to better understand SANS. Among the most important: The Fluid Shifts Study (2015–2020) offered direct evidence of changes in how blood drains from the brain in weightlessness. The Vision Impairment and Intracranial Pressure (VIIP) project investigated the link between fluid shifts, increased brain pressure, and SANS symptoms. Researchers used an array of high-tech tools to gather data, including: Comprehensive eye exams, with and without pupil dilation High-resolution retinal imaging MRI scans of the optic nerves Non-invasive measurements of retinal thickness Subjective insights were gathered through astronaut questionnaires, offering a fuller picture of the effects of spaceflight on vision. Source: NASA NASA advances diagnostic tools to monitor and manage SANS NASA and collaborating scientists are developing novel diagnostic technologies to better detect and manage SANS, including: Head-mounted virtual reality (VR) displays for multimodal vision assessments Optic nerve sheath diameter monitoring as a noninvasive diagnostic tool Additionally, there is a strong push for standardised imaging protocols across studies to ensure consistent results and faster development of countermeasures. A notable recovery case further highlighted possible solutions: one astronaut experienced significant improvement in SANS symptoms after six months in orbit. Recovery correlated with B vitamin supplementation and reduced CO₂ levels in the cabin—suggesting that nutrition and environmental controls could play a vital role in managing risk. How space travel impacts eyes at the genetic level Source: NASA Beyond fluid shifts, researchers are looking into how spaceflight alters eye tissue and even gene expression: Canadian teams using Optical Coherence Tomography (OCT) found mechanical changes in astronauts' eyes akin to those seen in conditions like glaucoma. Japanese studies involving mice showed changes in DNA and gene activity in the optic nerve and retina after spaceflight. Interestingly, early findings suggest that artificial gravity might help mitigate these effects. These revelations underscore how extended exposure to space can impact not only organ systems but also molecular biology—making it imperative to explore both physical and genetic countermeasures. SANS poses risk to astronaut vision Ongoing research into SANS is crucial, not just for astronaut safety on the ISS but for future exploration missions to the Moon, Mars, and beyond. Moreover, these investigations may lead to medical breakthroughs here on Earth—especially for patients suffering from conditions involving fluid imbalances and ocular pressure disorders. NASA's work to unravel the causes of SANS and develop effective treatments is a vivid reminder that the challenges of space travel often illuminate new frontiers in human biology and healthcare innovation. Also Read | NASA alert! 95-foot asteroid 2025 ME92 to fly past Earth on July 31 at 11,000 mph; should we be worried
Stuff.tv
4 days ago
- Entertainment
- Stuff.tv
Stuff Meets… HTC VIVE's Thomas Dexmier on Lego Technic, moving to Australia on a whim and XR exploration…
He was Involved in XR before the first HTC VIVE was even launched, Thomas Dexmier, the Vice-President of Sales and Marketing for HTC VIVE in EMEA, has a very busy career in tech. What makes him tick? We learn about his techy childhood, moving to the other side of the world on a whim and how he recently defended the fortress of Carcassonne, in 1304… My role is a bit of everything. One of the great things about HTC is that we are pretty open and flat-structured. My day-to-day role is head of the EMEA region with a focus on sales and marketing, but I'm an engineer by trade so I'm involved in product development as well. I also love engaging with the media and speaking at events. So it's quite a large remit and every day is different. As a kid I was obsessed with Lego Technic. I always loved physics and building little things. Then I discovered computing thanks to my dad. He wa an engineer, which I thought was a very cool name for a job so I thought I would be an engineer too. He worked with the original Apple Macintosh SE, which he brought home a couple of times. They called it portable but he couldn't even carry it! He also came home with a cellphone in the early '90s, and once my sister and I got an Amstrad CPC 6128 for Christmas. We used to play Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles and The Simpsons. The HTC Vive Focus 3 VR headset is literally soaring…in space. At the back end of 2023, we launched VR headsets on the International Space Station. The Vive Focus 3 has been used by Danish astronauts for an experiment into how VR can improve their mental health. It's a very noble cause. I moved to Australia on a whim. In 2010 my wife and I gave up everything we had in Paris, packed, bought return tickets to Sydney… and never used the return. From the minute I set foot on Aussie ground, our life was changing for the better and before I knew it an employer gave me a chance. That was HTC, who were the up-and-coming smartphone brand. We got work visas, permanent residency, first child, citizenship, second child… I was given the chance to move to tech account management, product marketing, head of sales and then country manager. I'll never forget the chance HTC gave me. It was a bit of a gamble for them, hiring this French guy who had no history in the country and could barely speak English. Having proper conversations with people coming from all around the world with very thick accents was like, 'Wow, what is this place?' This is a life that we have created for ourselves and we are just so proud of it. This is who I am now – my dual cultural background is important. Then in 2023 an opportunity came up to take on bigger responsibilities in Europe. It was the right time for us, the end of a cycle with kids growing up and stars aligning for us to come closer to our European heritage; this is why I'm now in Bordeaux. All industries are looking into extended reality. We're getting to a point now where, if people can imagine something, it can be built in VR – we've seen this across healthcare, defence, manufacturing, gaming, arts, culture, education, you name it. I think one of the biggest breakthroughs was when one of our partners in France, called Excurio, managed to have 120 active users at the same time, freely roaming in a 600m2 space, interacting. Arts and culture with immersive tech is one of my favourite things. Recently I was defending the fortress of Carcassonne… in 1304. I'm very happy to report that we successfully saved the town, and then I took a short journey in a taxi to rediscover the lost gardens of the Palace of Versailles. The power of XR in this case is to be able to reproduce parts of the gardens that don't exist any more, based on archives. There's room for innovation in foldable phones. Before having kids I used to buy all sorts of tech, but now I have to be a bit wiser and set a good example, so I focus on things that are important to me. So, a foldable phone… I was keeping my eye on the Samsungs and I waited for the Z Fold5; now I don't think I'll ever go back. For both productivity and personal stuff it's fantastic. I have a lot of fun with it. I got a Samsung Galaxy Watch7 to minimise phone time at the weekends. I got my first smartwatch for Christmas last year – I'd had a Fitbit before but was not overly impressed. I use the watch for fitness and keeping up with all the happenings in my social sphere, specifically on weekends, without having to pull out my phone all the time – we already do that way too much. I drive a Toyota RAV4 Hybrid. Coming from the other side of the planet, where Japanese hybrid cars have had such success over the years, I'm proud to fly the flag for Asian hybrids in Europe. It's got everything we need and is decently priced. If I had money to spend, I'd buy the Renault 5 E-Tech. Good memories… but I don't need it! My hobbies have to help me I go kitesurfing in summer and snowboarding in winter. You can't do these things while looking at your watch, texting or emailing, because you need so much focus. I also love a good DIY project, from gardening to fixing and building stuff with my hands. I'd love to be a carpenter in a carpenter in a different life. Visit HTC VIVE here.
