Group Captain Shubhanshu Shukla, the first Indian to travel to the International Space Station (ISS), has shared details about the intense training and “exhilarating” experience of his Axiom-4 mission.
The astronaut, who goes by the callsign ‘Shux,’ spoke at an event hosted by the Indian Air Force on Sunday.
Shukla recalled the powerful launch of the Dragon spacecraft on June 25, which carried him and three other astronauts to the ISS. He said the lift-off was so intense it “literally shakes every bone in your body.” He also described the challenges of living in space, noting that tasks as simple as using a washroom become difficult in a microgravity environment.
The training for the mission was comprehensive and took several months. He mentioned learning everything from basic first aid and engineering to photography and videography, as there’s no one to assist you in space. He emphasized the importance of being a team player, as highlighted by a team-building exercise that involved kayaking off the coast of Mexico.
During his 20-day stay on the ISS, Shukla conducted seven India-led microgravity experiments in various fields, including life sciences and agriculture. He shared a video he shot from space, stating that India is one of the most beautiful sights to see from orbit, especially at night.
Shukla, a decorated test pilot with over 2,000 hours of flying time, was inspired by Rakesh Sharma’s 1984 spaceflight as a child. He expressed his joy in seeing the excitement for space among young students today, saying it feels “wonderful.”
