Indian astronaut Shubhanshu Shukla is set to interact with school students and scientists from the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) on July 4, connecting directly from the International Space Station (ISS) via ham radio.
The conversation, scheduled for 3:47 PM IST, will be conducted through the Amateur Radio on the International Space Station (ARISS) programme—an initiative that enables students to engage with astronauts aboard the ISS using amateur radio technology. The telebridge will be facilitated by the K6DUE relay in the United States and received at Bengaluru’s U R Rao Satellite Centre.
Shukla, currently aboard the ISS as part of the 14-day Axiom-4 (Ax-4) mission, will provide insights into life in space, scientific experiments being conducted in orbit, and the possibilities of space research. One of the key studies he’s involved in includes a microalgae experiment, assessing the viability of algae for sustainable food systems during long-duration space missions.
The Ax-4 mission also features the Neuro Motion VR project, where astronauts perform attention-driven activities while their cognitive responses are tracked using advanced neuroimaging tools. These experiments aim to better understand the physiological and mental adjustments required in microgravity.
The upcoming interaction is seen as a significant step in nurturing India’s next generation of scientists and space enthusiasts. By creating real-time connections with astronauts, programmes like ARISS make space science tangible and exciting for young learners.
With private entities like Axiom Space collaborating with national agencies, such initiatives not only advance scientific exploration but also democratize access to the wonders of space.
