
Shubhanshu Shukla
@gagan_shux • 21,383 subscribers
Always let your reach be beyond your grasp…
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Once you return from space, your body discovers that Earth is no longer as intuitive as it once was. After weeks in microgravity, it has become remarkably efficient at living in an environment where up and down are merely suggestions. Reacquainting it with gravity takes time. Post-flight rehabilitation is a carefully designed program tailored to each astronaut, gradually increasing the intensity and complexity of exercises to retrain balance, coordination, strength, and endurance. The objective is simple: keep challenging the body until Earth feels natural again. At times, I was convinced that my instructor, Emiliano Ventura , had made it his personal mission to find new and creative ways to make me fall. But that is how you learn. By falling. Whether after a space mission or in life. #shux #space #shubhanshushukla #india #axiom4
Shubhanshu Shukla66,730 просмотров • 1 месяц назад

Believe it or not- Everything you see in this frame is falling. 😅 When I first reached the International Space Station, I had this strange hesitation: if I let go of something, won’t it just fall? On Earth, that’s exactly what happens. In space, though, my early instinct was to politely hand over items to crew-mates (one of them is quietly smirking in the background at my dismal lens changing skills 😅) instead of just releasing them. The funny part? They were just as cautious at first—so we ended up passing things around like an overly careful game of “hot potato.” Here’s the catch: nothing actually falls away in orbit. As you see in this video if I let go of the lens, it doesn’t drop—it hovers. Why? Because both the lens and I are falling at the same speed around Earth. No relative falling = no “down.” This idea goes all the way back to Isaac Newton’s legendary thought experiment: imagine standing on a tall mountain and throwing a ball. Toss it gently—it arcs down nearby. Throw harder—it travels farther before dropping. Throw it so fast that as it falls, Earth’s surface curves away beneath it? The rate of drop matches the curvature of the Earth. Congratulations—you’ve just put that ball in orbit. It’s falling forever, but it never hits the ground. That’s what orbit really is: perpetual free fall. Astronauts don’t feel weightless because gravity has disappeared—gravity up here is still about 90% as strong as at Earth’s surface. We feel weightless because we and everything around us are constantly falling together. Floating in space is really just falling—forever. 🌍✨ #shux #iss #space #shubhanshushukla #isro #axiom4 #newton #tiborkapu
Shubhanshu Shukla484,157 просмотров • 9 месяцев назад

Had the honour of meeting the honourable president of India. Felt really proud presenting the mission patch that I flew on my suit to the international space station. Let us fly higher and faster together… #shux #space #india #isro #ShubhanshuShukla #presidentinindia
Shubhanshu Shukla221,838 просмотров • 10 месяцев назад

Food in space. Never thought I would have to learn to eat again 😅. Here I am explaining why habits matter when you are eating in space. If you are not mindful you can easily create a mess and you don’t want to be that guy. Solid mantra that works for anything in space “Slow is Fast”. Other interesting fact is we don’t need gravity to digest food. A process called ‘peristalsis’ is responsible for digestion which is gravity independent. It is the contraction and relaxation of muscles to push food down through the digestive tract. Head up or head down, gravity or no gravity your body will always digest food. Bon appetit. 😊 #shux #space #iss #shubhanshushukla #india #axiom4 #isro #bharat #food
Shubhanshu Shukla148,154 просмотров • 10 месяцев назад

I stand deeply humbled to receive the nation’s highest peacetime gallantry award from the Hon’ble President of India today. While this honour bears my name, it does not belong to me alone. It is a reflection of collective courage, quiet sacrifices, and unwavering commitment shared by countless individuals who serve the nation with selflessness. Representing India in space was the privilege of a lifetime. Wearing this medal today is an even greater honour, for I do so on behalf of my colleagues—those who worked tirelessly behind the scenes, who made sacrifices, and who believed in a mission larger than themselves and larger than any one individual. I extend my heartfelt gratitude to the Government of India and to the people of this country, whose love, encouragement, and boundless curiosity for space exploration continue to inspire me. This medal is not just a milestone; it is a responsibility—a reminder that our journey has only begun, and that we must work to ensure that the dream of space travel becomes accessible to many more Indians. Thank you for your trust and faith. Jai Hind. Jai Bharat. #shux #india #shubhanshushukla #space #ashokchakra
Shubhanshu Shukla66,471 просмотров • 5 месяцев назад

Let’s pull some Gs 🚀 Spaceflight isn’t just about floating in zero gravity — before you ever get there, you have to earn your way through gravity itself. During launch and re-entry, astronauts experience what’s known as G-loads — or simply, “pulling Gs.” A “G” is short for gravitational acceleration. On Earth, you’re under 1G — your normal weight. Double that (2G), and your body feels twice as heavy. At 4G, your arms and head feel four times heavier. Try lifting your phone like that and you’ll quickly appreciate why astronauts train for it! But here’s where things get interesting — the direction of that G-load makes all the difference. In a fighter jet, G-forces act head to toe (called the +Gz axis). When a pilot pulls sharp turns, blood rushes away from the brain and pools in the legs. If the Gs are too high for too long, vision narrows — first “grey-out,” then “blackout.” Fighter pilots wear G-suits and use anti-G straining maneuvers to keep blood flowing to the brain. The first video is Gz.
Shubhanshu Shukla62,955 просмотров • 8 месяцев назад

The first time I looked out through the Cupola, it unfolded just like this. The MMOD (Micro Meteoroid Orbital Debris) covers were still closed, and as they slowly lifted, they revealed the paradise we call Earth, quietly, almost reverently. It’s hard to put that moment into words, but this song comes closest to capturing what it felt like. #shux #space #shubhanshushukla #india #axiom4
Shubhanshu Shukla22,239 просмотров • 2 месяцев назад

This week has felt like a quiet triumph for all of humanity. Four individuals have journeyed farther than anyone has in over half a century, a reminder that our reach is only limited by our courage to try. Behind that moment stands not just the crew, but an entire ground team whose relentless dedication made the impossible feel within grasp. I had stepped away from the world for a few days, disconnected from everything, and returned this morning to witness this story. And somehow, it felt even more profound, like stepping back into humanity at its very best. In such missions the families of the crew almost always go unmentioned. The ones who stay behind often carry a different kind of bravery, the silent, enduring kind. Their strength, their faith, their willingness to let their loved ones chase the unknown… it’s a courage that deserves just as much recognition. Today’s gesture by the Artemis 2 crew, naming a crater after Carroll. It feels deeply human. Not symbolic in a distant way, but intimate, grounding. A reminder that even as we push into the vastness of space, we carry our love, our relationships, and our stories with us. I have always believed that space exploration holds a kind of magic, but it’s never just in the stars or the spacecraft. The real magic is us, the humans who dare, who care, who remember. It is the love we refuse to leave behind. This moment captures that beautifully. I don’t have the words to describe this- Grief, wonder, love - all at once. Godspeed Artemis II. The world is watching, hoping, and holding its breath for your safe return. NASA Artemis Reid Wiseman Christina H Koch Victor Glover Jeremy R. Hansen
Shubhanshu Shukla19,679 просмотров • 2 месяцев назад

Flying over India from space — from the sunlit southwest to the misty northeast — is like watching a living galaxy unfurl beneath you. You don’t just see it; you feel it in every fibre of your being. The peninsula glows like a jewel. To the left, Pune sparkles; below, Bengaluru and Hyderabad shimmer like constellations drawn by human hands. And far on the horizon — a faint yet familiar gleam — New Delhi makes its presence known. Then come the purple flares — thunderstorms flashing through clouds, nature’s own pyrotechnics reminding you who the original artist of light truly is. As you drift farther north, the brilliance softens. The Himalayas emerge — a silent, solemn silhouette against the void. And just beyond, a soft blue whisper of light rises — the orbital sunrise. Up there, watching this grand spectacle unfold, you can’t help but smile. This isn’t just Diwali on Earth — it’s Diwali of Earth. The festival of lights, written across an entire nation, glowing proudly on a cosmic stage. 🇮🇳 #shux #diwali #india #space #axiom4 #isro #bharat #iss #shubhanshushukla
Shubhanshu Shukla42,965 просмотров • 8 месяцев назад

Any experiment in space quickly reminds you that gravity does a lot of unpaid work on Earth. Without it, even the simplest tasks turn into puzzles. Here, I was extracting samples from bags of microalgae I had been growing for the past two weeks. The challenge: collecting samples without air bubbles. On Earth, you simply flip the syringe and let gravity usher the bubbles politely to the top. In microgravity, they refuse to cooperate—no rising, no settling, just floating wherever they please. The solution: become the centrifuge. Lacking gravity, I provided my own by spinning, using motion to push the liquid toward the syringe tip and persuade the air to move elsewhere. It took a few tries (and a bit of trial-and-error choreography) before it worked. Multiply that process by twelve bags, four samples each, and several spins per sample, and the math becomes clear. Let’s just say I logged an impressive number of rotations that day—proof that in space, science sometimes looks a lot like interpretive dance. #shux #space #axiom4 #shubhanshushukla #india #iss
Shubhanshu Shukla19,683 просмотров • 4 месяцев назад

This is the one year journey of Axiom 4 mission compressed into a few minutes. This mission has been so much to me personally. But what came after was even more special. The love and support showered by each one of you. I can't be more grateful. This mission alongside Jeanrenau Sławosz Uznański-Wiśniewski @tibor_to_orbit was about technical accomplishments but also about igniting curiosity and hope and I am proud we achieved both our objectives. This is as I like to call "India's second orbit" after 1984. I am confident that all of you will take this momentum forward and bring so much more glory to our nation in the future. #space #shux #shubhanshushukla #isro #iss #axiomspace #nasa
Shubhanshu Shukla33,468 просмотров • 11 месяцев назад

I have received a lot of messages regarding my health and wishing me speedy recovery. I want to thank you all and also give an update. Experiencing microgravity our body goes through several changes like fluid shift, heart rate, balance readjustment, muscle loss. These are adaptations to the new environment. Once the body gets used to this and we return to gravity, these adjustments happen once again. 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. In the pursuit of the unknown(space), you get to know more about yourself. #shux #iss #axiom4 #space #shubhanshushukla #nasa #spacestation #humanbody
Shubhanshu Shukla34,275 просмотров • 11 месяцев назад

Let's get spinning. I am in a MAT (Multi Axis Trainer or Mercury Astronaut Trainer) at the Marshall Space Flight Center. This trainer was used to expose the Mercury astronauts to excessive rates in roll, pitch and yaw should the capsule experience the same in orbit. The aim was to expose the astronauts to such rates so that they can control the space capsule in spite of being under such extreme rates. Though the requirement never arose during the Mercury program and the training was stopped, Neil Armstrong experienced such a situation years later. While docking with the Agena vehicle during Gemini 8 mission, a thruster malfunction caused excessive rates. Armstrong had to takeover manually and bring the situation under control. Incidentally you don't feel sick in this trainer as your stomach is at the center always. However, if you were to close your eyes the brain would play tricks on you due to the sensory conflict and you may feel nauseous. Something I was not ready to try. Enjoy the ride #shux #space #shubhanshushukla #axiom4 #india #isro #bharat #marshallspaceflightcenter
Shubhanshu Shukla29,048 просмотров • 10 месяцев назад

Water has a mind of its own in space. The common memory justifies that if you spill water on Earth, it rushes to hug the Mother Earth and whatever intervening material may be there in between. In space, it refuse to settle. As you see in the video, it forms a neat sphere, the most optimal shape to minimize surface area when gravity is too weak to act against surface tension. Then I use a pencil lead to carefully rotate this blob (A trick I learned on the station). Notice how the shape changes - a cylinder. Under the influence of the rotational forces the neat sphere gives way to the new shape. The environment of microgravity introduces new dynamics between the forces unlike what we see on Earth. Incidentally, this is why our Earth itself is flatter at poles and bulged at equator. The rotation of the Earth causes that. Wait till the end to see what happens to this blob. Space is a great classroom. #shux #space #axiom4 #shubhanshushukla #india
Shubhanshu Shukla10,504 просмотров • 4 месяцев назад

Sure feels good to be back in the cockpit. Flight training remains a cornerstone of astronaut preparation. Few environments demand such seamless integration of sensory inputs, rapid real-time decision-making, and razor-sharp situational awareness. These are not just flying skills—they are survival skills in space. Having spent a lifetime in cockpits, returning to one feels less like a visit and more like coming home. And if there had to be a way back, there could hardly be a finer one than flying alongside the ambassadors of the Indian Air Force—the Suryakirans. Indian Air Force Suryakiran Aerobatic Team #shux #isro #indianairforce #india #shubhanshushukla
Shubhanshu Shukla12,744 просмотров • 6 месяцев назад

It has been a year since I have been out of the country. Coming back to India after one year and landing right during the space day celebrations was a moment that I was not prepared for. The excitement, buzz and curiosity towards space has filled me with strong emotions and resolve towards our own missions. During the past year of training I travelled across the globe but the excitement for upcoming Indian human space missions was seen everywhere. People wanted to know when will Gaganyaan go, they want to travel to space with us. Let us make this age a golden one for space exploration together. Dream Big and Stay Curious. #shux #space #shubhanshushukla #india #isro #bharat
Shubhanshu Shukla17,590 просмотров • 10 месяцев назад

White night in Orbit. White nights are phenomenon that occurs at high latitudes where in summers the sun does not set due to the angles. In Orbit we experience 16 sunrises and sunsets in a day. But not always. Welcome beta angle- it is the angle between the orbital plane and the sun’s position. 0 beta angle means almost half the orbit in dark and 90 beta angle means sunlight throughout. This does not mean that angles less than 90 cannot have continuous sunlight which is exactly what the video shows. The sun goes down but does not set. We landed on the station and then high beta occurred (beta >60). And in high beta docking/ undocking is avoided due to high thermal stress and limited heat rejection. In space shuttle days, during free flight the shuttle was slowly rolled in “barbeque mode” at beta> 60 to deal with this problem which can still be done with vehicles in free flight. But docking/ undocking are very slow processes and you can’t roll while doing it. The second constraint is on the solar array. You see in the video Solar arrays are moving as they always are to optimize power generation. During high beta their positioning gets restricted due to unequal thermal stress on the structure. Combined effect of these two issues- we got additional 4 days on Orbit. I am not the one complaining. 😊 #shux #iss #space #axiom4 #isro #shubhanshushukla #sun
Shubhanshu Shukla14,536 просмотров • 9 месяцев назад
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