Astronaut Shubhanshu Shukla is taking a slice of India with him as he embarks on the Axiom-4 mission to the International Space Station (ISS). Launching from the Kennedy Space Centre in Florida on June 10 at 5:52 pm IST, Shukla will be joined by three fellow astronauts on this historic journey.
First Indian to Bring Desi Dishes to ISS
Shukla’s mission marks a milestone for India, as he becomes the first Indian astronaut to travel to the ISS. To make him feel at home, ISRO, in collaboration with DRDO, has arranged a menu of Indian food including aam ras, moong dal halwa, gajar halwa, and various rice dishes. This is the first time Indian cuisine is making its way to space aboard an ISS mission.
A Taste of Home with a Special Approval
Initially, Shukla wasn’t granted permission to carry Indian food due to concerns over the cuisine’s spicy nature. However, as his sister Suchi Shukla revealed, “Since Indian food is high on spices, he wasn’t getting the permission to carry them. But finally, they did allow a few varieties. He is a fitness-freak and highly into yoga, so I am sure he will balance it.”
Developed for Zero Gravity
The food, developed after years of research by DRDO’s Defence Food Research Laboratory (DFRL) in Mysuru, is packed in special containers and requires rehydration before consumption. The offerings also include ready-to-eat items like idli, upma, biryani, pulao, dal, vegetable curry, roti, and halwa. These innovations will also likely be used in the upcoming Gaganyaan mission scheduled for 2027, where Shukla will also participate.
Carrying Memories and Meaning
In addition to Indian food, Shukla is also taking personal keepsakes, though most remain undisclosed due to mission protocol. His sister hinted, “He cannot disclose due to protocol… So, he will bring those back and it will be memorabilia for us.”
One confirmed item is a small swan soft toy, named ‘Joy’, which will serve as the mission’s zero-gravity indicator. Speaking at a press briefing, Shukla shared, “In Indian culture, the swan is the vehicle of goddess Saraswati, symbolising wisdom, learning and purity… Carrying this symbol reminds me of the delicate balance between knowledge and pressure, and it keeps me grounded in the values I hold dear.”
Family’s Pride and Prayers
Back in Lucknow, the astronaut’s family is counting down to launch with prayers and pride. His father, Shambhu Dayal Shukla, expressed confidence, saying, “We are not scared now. We are happy that his name will go in history books.” His mother added, “Woh khud bahut excited hai ki woh Bharat ke liye kuch naya karne jaa raha hai. Bas jaldi se mission khatam kar ke wapas aa jaaye.”
His sister mentioned that Shukla, currently in quarantine, video calls his family daily. His wife, Dr. Kamna Shubha Shukla, and their five-year-old son are with him in Florida.
Mission Details
The Axiom-4 mission, run by Texas-based Axiom Space in collaboration with SpaceX and NASA, includes four astronauts: Mission Commander Peggy Whitson (US), Mission Pilot Shubhanshu Shukla (India), and mission specialists Slawosz Uznanski-Wisniewski (Poland) and Tibor Kapu (Hungary). The crew will spend two weeks aboard the ISS conducting experiments and promoting international cooperation in space exploration.
