New Delhi: This was a class with a difference and those who attended should consider themselves lucky.
Group Captain Shubhanshu Shukla, on Friday, interacted with school children through a video call from the International Space Station (ISS) as part of the Vidyarthi Samvad Programme organised by Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO).
For most of the students, it turned out to be a transformational experience – interacting with their hero living in micro-gravity hundreds of km away from Earth. Space exploration suddenly seemed so real and achievable, they said.
There were a range of questions, primarily on how astronauts live aboard the ISS. Shukla described sleeping in microgravity using anchored sleeping bags, adding humorously that if not strapped down, “you might drift away and wake up in a different spot.”
He also shared how astronauts eat pre-packaged meals in space, but made a special mention of carrying Indian sweets like Gajar ka Halwa and Aam Ras to add a touch of home comfort to his meals aboard the station.
When asked about medical emergencies in space, Shukla assured the students that the crew is well-trained and the ISS is equipped with necessary medicines and protocols. He also told them that astronauts prepare for a range of scenarios and safety is taken very seriously. On a more emotional note, he spoke about the experience of viewing Earth from space.
“It’s peaceful and beautiful. A moment of quiet reflection we all cherish,” he said.
Group Captain Shukla also explained how the human body reacts to microgravity, noting that while the body adapts over time in space, returning to Earth brings its own challenges. “Our muscles and balance systems need to be retrained. It’s a slow and careful process,” he said.
He made history on June 26, 2025, during the Axiom Mission 4, when he became the first Indian astronaut to visit the ISS. His words, “Jai Hind, Jai Bharat,” symbolised not only his personal triumph but also a great leap forward for the country.
Shukla raised India, using the amateur radio frequency and spoke to students.
“I was able to bring three different types of food developed by ISRO in collaboration with DRDO — Aam Ras, Gajar ka Halwa, and Moong Dal Halwa. Everyone loved it, and we shared it with the crew here in space. We also received food from different countries and exchanged meals with the international team aboard the station,” the Indian astronaut said in response to a student query.
Shukla also satisfied another student by speaking on the launch experience. “The experience was exhilarating. The rocket launch was dynamic and fast, with intense acceleration. The rocket has two stages, and during the flight, it truly felt like we were floating in free flight. The crew was already waiting to receive us, and I was excited to finally see them.”
He noted that the capsule in which they launched is compact, with very little room to move around, “but the excitement and energy of being in space make up for it,” he said.
