Kerala's Young Minds Go Cosmic in Live Chat with Indian Astronaut Aboard ISS
- Around 200 Kerala students interacted live with astronaut Shubhanshu Shukla aboard the ISS via video conference at ISRO’s VSSC centre.
- Students asked questions about life in space, mental health, food habits, and microgravity, with Shukla sharing personal experiences and scientific insights.
- The interaction was part of India’s involvement in the Axiom-4 mission, where ISRO has contributed 7 scientific experiments among 60 global studies.
In an inspiring and rare opportunity, nearly 200 students and parents from Kerala were left awestruck after a live interaction with Indian astronaut Shubhanshu Shukla, who connected with them via video conference from the International Space Station (ISS). The session took place at the Vikram Sarabhai Space Centre (VSSC), a prominent Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) facility in the capital city.
The event, kept under wraps until its conclusion, featured a thrilling 10-minute Q&A session where students were able to directly engage with Shukla, currently on a 14-day mission aboard the ISS as part of the Axiom Mission 4. The interaction gave the students a glimpse into life in space, the daily routines of astronauts, and the scientific activities being carried out in microgravity.
Students were selected for the special session based on their participation in science clubs and their outstanding performance in the Upper Secondary Scholarship examinations. The young minds were visibly exhilarated by the experience, many describing it as a once-in-a-lifetime moment.
Fifteen-year-old B. Sanghavi from Kozhikode, who attended the session with her parents, shared her excitement. “He showed us how he is able to float and answered all the questions we had. I still can't believe we spoke to someone in space”, she said, still in disbelief at the interaction.
Interestingly, only the students were allowed into the VSSC campus, while the parents waited in the city. Once the interaction concluded, the children were reunited with their guardians, many of whom shared how deeply the session had impacted their children.
“My son is in Class X and is a big admirer of Dr. A.P.J. Abdul Kalam. He was fascinated by Kalam’s contributions to ISRO and this inspired his interest in space. Getting this opportunity has been a dream come true for him”, said one proud parent.
During the session, Shukla described the experience of launch aboard the Axiom-4 mission as 'amazing' and 'dynamic'. Sharing his life in the microgravity environment, he said, “There is no floor or ceiling here. You could find someone sleeping on a wall or ceiling. It’s a whole different world”.
When asked about food in space, the Lucknow-born astronaut explained that astronauts have access to a variety of pre-packaged meals. “We taste different food items before the mission, and the ones we prefer are packed and brought aboard. Nutrition is well taken care of”, he noted.
In response to a question about what happens if someone gets sick in space, Shukla said, “You can float up and tie yourself to the ceiling. The challenge is waking up at the same place where you slept. That’s why we tie our sleeping bags so we don’t float away.”
On mental health, he emphasized the role of technology in helping astronauts stay emotionally balanced. “Modern connectivity allows us to talk to family and friends. That makes a big difference up here”, he said.
He also explained the physiological changes astronauts undergo in space, such as fluid shifts in the body and slower digestion. “My body has adapted to microgravity now, but once I return to Earth, it will have to readapt to gravity that will be another challenge”, he added.
Shukla is currently engaged in developing a brain-computer interface experiment in the ISS orbital lab. The Axiom-4 mission team is carrying out over 60 scientific experiments and commercial research activities involving 31 countries, including India, the US, Poland, Hungary, Saudi Arabia, Brazil, Nigeria, the UAE, and several European nations.
India, through ISRO, has contributed seven crucial research studies to the mission. This cross-national collaboration marks a significant milestone in the global pursuit of space-based scientific innovation.
The session left a deep impact on the students, many of whom are now even more motivated to pursue careers in science and space. With role models like Shubhanshu Shukla and opportunities like this, the future of India's space aspirations looks brighter than ever.
