India’s Gaganyatri Shubhanshu Shukla Shines in ISS Cupola, Inspires Nation from Space

Group Captain Shubhanshu Shukla, India’s Gaganyatri, has captivated the nation from the iconic cupola of the International Space Station (ISS), where he gazed upon a borderless Earth during his 14-day mission. Arriving on June 26, 2025, as part of Axiom Space’s crew alongside commander Peggy Whitson, Shukla has been immersed in scientific research, technology demonstrations, and global outreach, completing nine productive days aboard the ISS.

Smiling and vibrant, Shukla shared a profound perspective with Prime Minister Narendra Modi: “From space, you don’t see any borders. The Earth looks united.” He described India’s vastness from orbit, emphasizing a sense of shared humanity. His words echoed Wing Commander Rakesh Sharma’s 1984 sentiment, “Saare jahan se achha,” adding, “Bharat looks bhavya.”

Shukla’s mission includes critical experiments. He documented the myogenesis study, exploring muscle atrophy in microgravity to develop countermeasures for future space travel. In the Space Micro Algae experiment, he managed samples that could provide food, oxygen, and biofuel for deep space missions. The Sprouts project saw him irrigate seeds to study plant growth in space, with post-mission analysis to enhance sustainable crop production. Additionally, Shukla conducted a STEM demonstration on physical and chemical changes in microgravity, inspiring students worldwide.

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On July 3 and 4, Shukla engaged with over 500 students from Thiruvananthapuram, Bengaluru, and his alma mater, City Montessori School in Lucknow, fostering curiosity in space exploration. However, ISRO’s Human Space Flight Center (HSFC) has yet to release videos or images of these interactions or Shukla in the cupola, prompting calls for transparency to inspire India’s 1.4 billion people. ISRO noted that its outreach aims to drive youth toward science and technology careers, supporting the vision of Viksit Bharat.

Axiom Space praised the crew’s progress, with Shukla, pilot Slawosz Uznanski-Wisniewski, and mission specialist Tibor Kapu advancing experiments that could shape space exploration and benefit Earth. As India awaits visuals of Shukla’s “mesmerizing” outreach, his mission marks a historic milestone, igniting dreams of future Gaganyatris.

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