From food to mental health, Shubhanshu Shukla reveals life in space with students

IANS July 4, 2025 376 views

Shubhanshu Shukla, India’s first astronaut on the ISS, engaged with students about daily life in space. He shared amusing details about sleeping in zero gravity and eating specially packed meals. The Lucknow-born scientist also discussed health adaptations and ongoing brain-computer interface research. His 14-day mission includes 60 global experiments, with India contributing seven studies.

"It is fun actually, because in space there is no floor and no ceiling." – Shubhanshu Shukla
From food to mental health, Shubhanshu Shukla reveals life in space with students
New Delhi, July 3: Shubhanshu Shukla, the first Indian astronaut on the International Space Station (ISS), on Thursday had some interesting conversations with students in India, who bombarded him with questions like what do astronauts eat, how does one sleep in space and what happens if someone falls sick.

Key Points

1

Shukla describes the thrill of weightless sleep on ISS walls

2

Explains pre-packaged space food tailored to astronaut preferences

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Highlights mental health support via Earth communication tech

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Details body adaptation challenges in microgravity vs Earth

The students also sought to know about the benefits of the space programme and what part of the space visit is most enjoyable.

During the interaction, Shukla described the launch experience of the Axiom Mission 4 as "amazing" and "dynamic".

“It is fun actually, because in space there is no floor and no ceiling. So if you were to come and visit the station (ISS), you would find someone sleeping on the walls, someone on the ceiling,” he told students.

When asked what astronauts eat, the Lucknow-born astronaut said most of the food is pre-packaged, and adequate care is taken to ensure that astronauts have enough nutrition.

"Different food items are laid down and astronauts get to taste all of those and whatever they prefer is packed," Shukla responded.

When a student asked what happens if someone falls ill in space, Shukla replied: "It is so easy to float up and tie yourself to the ceiling. The challenge is to be found at the same place where you slept at night and to ensure that we tie our sleeping bags to ensure we don't float away to some other place”.

When a student asked about the impact of space on mental health, Shukla said modern technology has ensured that astronauts get to connect with family and friends. "It helps a lot," he said.

Inside the weightless environment of space, digestion slows down. Shukla also described how fluid shifts in the body affect digestion.

“My body has now kind of adapted to microgravity, but when I return to Earth, my body would have to readapt to gravity. This is a challenge again,” he said.

Meanwhile, Shukla is working to develop a brain-computer interface in the orbital lab, said NASA on Thursday.

He is on a 14-day scientific expedition on the ISS as part of the Axiom-4 mission, along with three other astronauts from the US, Poland, and Hungary.

The crew is conducting around 60 scientific studies and commercial activities in microgravity representing 31 countries, including the US, India, Poland, Hungary, Saudi Arabia, Brazil, Nigeria, UAE, and nations across Europe.

India, through ISRO, has contributed seven carefully selected studies to the mission.

Reader Comments

R
Rohit P
Interesting read! But I wonder - with all these space missions, shouldn't we focus more on solving problems here on Earth first? Hunger, poverty, and education need more funding than space tourism.
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Aditya G
The brain-computer interface research sounds straight out of sci-fi! 🚀 India's 7 studies contribution shows our growing space capabilities. Next step - Gaganyaan mission!
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Sarah B
As an expat in India, I'm amazed by how space programs are becoming accessible to students here. The mental health aspect is crucial - glad they're addressing isolation in space.
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Karthik V
"Sleeping on walls" 😂 Typical Indian jugaad mentality even in space! Jokes aside, proud moment for UP that Shubhanshu is from Lucknow. Shows talent comes from all parts of India.
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Nisha Z
The food part was interesting - hope they included some Indian dishes in the menu! Imagine floating dal-roti in space 😄 More seriously, great to see India's scientific contributions.

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Tags:
Shubhanshu Shukla ISS Axiom Mission 4 Indian astronaut space food microgravity ISRO