Indian astronaut Shubhanshu Shukla, currently aboard the International Space Station (ISS) as part of the Axiom-4 mission, held a direct telephonic interaction with the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO).
In a call that symbolized India’s growing presence in human spaceflight, Shukla provided key updates to ISRO Chairman Dr V Narayanan on ongoing scientific experiments being conducted in microgravity.
The conversation primarily revolved around the astronaut’s well-being and the scientific objectives underway aboard the ISS. Dr Narayanan emphasized the importance of thorough documentation of every observation and activity—a crucial step in shaping India’s upcoming Gaganyaan mission, which aims to place Indian astronauts in low Earth orbit via indigenous launch capabilities.
Also present during the call were top ISRO officials, including Dr Unnikrishnan Nair (Director, Vikram Sarabhai Space Centre), M Mohan (Director, Liquid Propulsion Systems Centre), and Padmakumar E S (Director, ISRO Inertial Systems Unit). They engaged Shukla in discussing mission progress, scientific payload performance, and the broader implications for India’s human space program.
Shukla, expressing his gratitude, credited ISRO’s unwavering support for his safe journey and successful mission operations. He also acknowledged the continuous guidance received from Dr Narayanan before the mission commenced.
In a show of preparedness, the ISRO Chief also communicated with standby astronaut Prashant Balan Nair, ensuring that all mission contingencies remain covered.
This moment not only marks a major scientific update but also underlines a collaborative spirit between orbit and Earth—taking India one step closer to its human spaceflight ambitions.
