Group Captain Shubhanshu Shukla, the first Indian to reach the International Space Station (ISS) during Axiom Mission 4, delivered an inspiring address to students at the North Eastern Space Applications Centre (NESAC) in Meghalaya. He expressed his belief that children from various cities across India, regardless of their size, will achieve their dreams of becoming astronauts.

Through a ham radio call from the ISS, he encouraged the young audience, stating, "I believe they can and they will. Keep working hard, and I will return to guide you. Many kids from all types of towns will become astronauts in the future."

Having launched to the ISS on June 25, Group Captain Shukla shared insights about his journey and the challenges he faced during his training and time in space. He highlighted the similarities between his training as a fighter pilot in the Indian Air Force and the astronaut training, emphasizing the extensive data training required.

He explained, "Training as a fighter pilot and being an astronaut share many similarities. My background helped me understand the systems and routines necessary for such missions. A significant amount of data training was essential to become an astronaut."

Discussing life aboard the ISS, he noted the unique conditions caused by microgravity and increased radiation. He stated, "The ISS environment is distinct due to microgravity, which impacts many biological processes, and the heightened radiation levels, as Earth's atmosphere protects us from such exposure."

To combat muscle and bone loss in microgravity, he mentioned the importance of maintaining health through exercise, utilizing a treadmill, a cycle, and the Advanced Resistive Exercise Device (ARED). He remarked, "Staying fit in microgravity is crucial because gravity on Earth imposes a significant load on our bodies, leading to muscle and bone loss."

Safety and emergency preparedness are critical, as he explained the rigorous training for potential emergencies. "We train extensively for all possible scenarios that could go wrong. Our team is well-prepared to handle any emergencies that may arise on the ISS," he assured.

Reflecting on the breathtaking view of Earth from space, he shared, "It was an incredible experience to see Earth from above for the first time. It was truly amazing." Group Captain Shukhanshu Shukla, part of Axiom Mission 4, launched from NASA's Kennedy Space Centre in Florida on June 25 at 3:21 am ET aboard SpaceX's Falcon 9 rocket. As Mission Pilot, he successfully piloted the Dragon spacecraft, which docked with the ISS ahead of schedule on June 26 at 4:05 pm IST. The Ax-4 crew is expected to remain aboard the ISS for up to 14 days.