Indian Astronauts Interact from ISS

Summary of the News Article on Group Captain Shubhanshu Shukla's Interaction from the ISS

On July 4, 2025, Group Captain Shubhanshu Shukla aboard the International Space Station (ISS) communicated with approximately 70 students at the U.R. Rao Satellite Centre (URSC) in India via ham radio. This brief interaction lasted around 10 minutes and was organized under the Amateur Radio on the ISS (ARISS) initiative. Students took this opportunity to inquire about the Indian astronaut's journey to the ISS and his experiences in the orbiting laboratory.

• Interaction Details:
  • Date: July 4, 2025
  • Location: U.R. Rao Satellite Centre (URSC), India
  • Method: Communication via ham radio
  • Participants: Approximately 70 students

Group Captain Shukla elaborated on various aspects of his recent journey to the ISS during this interaction. He highlighted the excitement of seeing the ISS upon arrival and described the docking process in detail.

• Journey to ISS:
  • Launch Date: June 25, 2025
  • Spacecraft: ISS Dragon
  • Launch Location: NASA’s Kennedy Space Center, Florida
  • Travel Duration: 28.5 hours to reach ISS
  • Time Spent in ISS: 14 days

Shukla vividly described the initial phases of approaching the ISS, including the intricate process of docking. He indicated that seeing the station become a temporary home was an exhilarating experience.

Additionally, he touched upon the challenges of living in microgravity, particularly mentioning the unique difficulty of sleeping while floating. He emphasized that astronauts must tether their sleeping bags to avoid drifting while resting.

• Experiments Conducted:
  • Shukla affirmed that he is actively involved in conducting various experiments during his time at the ISS.

This event represents a significant engagement between academia and the space program, aiming to inspire young minds with insights from a real astronaut's experience in space.

Important Points:

• Group Captain Shubhanshu Shukla's ISS communication on July 4, 2025, was a part of ARISS.
• The Axiom-4 mission began with a launch on June 25, 2025.
• The ISS Dragon spacecraft took approximately 28.5 hours to reach the ISS.
• His ISS journey allows for 14 days of residency and scientific experimentation.
• Unique challenges of living in space include the need to secure sleeping arrangements.