What Indian Astronaut Shubhanshu Shukla Is Taking to Space on Axiom-4: Halwa, a Swan Toy and a Loving Note to His Wife
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After more than four decades, India is once again reaching for the stars - this time through the dreams and determination of Group Captain Shubhanshu Shukla . On June 25, the Indian Air Force pilot embarks on Axiom Mission 4 (Ax-4), a landmark private mission to the International Space Station (ISS). But Shukla’s mission isn’t just about science and technology - it’s also about heart, heritage, and home.
A Taste of India in Orbit
Even as he prepares for intense experiments aboard the ISS, Shukla is taking a slice of Indian tradition with him. At a pre-launch briefing, he shared, "There will be plenty of food to eat in space, but I will be carrying mango nectar, carrot halwa (gajar ka halwa), and moong dal halwa with me."
These sweets are more than just comfort food - they are nostalgic reminders of home and cultural identity. By sharing them with his international crew, Shukla hopes to offer not just flavours from India, but a taste of togetherness in an otherwise high-tech, high-stakes environment.
A Tribute to a Legend
Shukla, born in 1985, grew up inspired by Rakesh Sharma - the first Indian in space. Now carrying that legacy forward, he’s paying tribute to the man who inspired his dream. As he revealed, "He has been advising me on many things, including how to prepare for this mission." Shukla is taking a secret memento along as a personal gift for Sharma, though he’s keeping the exact item a surprise until his return.
Meet Joy: The Space Swan
Joining Shukla on this cosmic journey is a small white toy swan named Joy. More than a mascot, Joy will serve as the zero-gravity indicator. As soon as the capsule hits orbit, Joy will begin to float—signalling to the astronauts that they’ve officially left Earth.
But Joy holds deeper meaning. The swan, a symbol rich in cultural significance across the globe, was chosen for what it represents. In India, it’s the vehicle of Goddess Saraswati and a symbol of wisdom. In Poland, it stands for purity and resilience, and in Hungary, grace and loyalty. The toy swan is a shared emblem of unity - mirroring the spirit of international cooperation that defines the mission.
Love That Lifts Off
Before launching into the cosmos, Shukla penned a heartfelt note to his wife, Kamna. In a message posted to Instagram, he wrote:
“As we plan to leave the planet early morning of 25 Jun, I wish to thank everyone who has been involved in this mission for their support and also to all the people back home for their blessings and love.”
He went on to express his deepest gratitude to his wife:
"Special thanks to Kamna for being the wonderful partner that you are. Without you none of this was possible but more importantly none of this would matter."
The touching post was accompanied by a photograph capturing a farewell shared through a glass partition - symbolising the distance between Earth and space, but not between hearts.
A Traditional Send-Off
Just hours before take-off, Shukla’s family kept tradition alive. In a virtual gesture of love and good luck, his mother performed a familiar Indian ritual: feeding him dahi-cheeni (yogurt with sugar) via video call - a customary blessing before major life events.
As Shukla prepared to step into history, his final message to his family was simple and strong: "Just wait for me, I'm coming."
As he travels beyond the bounds of Earth, Shubhanshu Shukla carries more than science with him - he carries stories, symbols, and sentiments from home, making this mission as deeply human as it is historic.
A Taste of India in Orbit
Even as he prepares for intense experiments aboard the ISS, Shukla is taking a slice of Indian tradition with him. At a pre-launch briefing, he shared, "There will be plenty of food to eat in space, but I will be carrying mango nectar, carrot halwa (gajar ka halwa), and moong dal halwa with me."
These sweets are more than just comfort food - they are nostalgic reminders of home and cultural identity. By sharing them with his international crew, Shukla hopes to offer not just flavours from India, but a taste of togetherness in an otherwise high-tech, high-stakes environment.
A Tribute to a Legend
Shukla, born in 1985, grew up inspired by Rakesh Sharma - the first Indian in space. Now carrying that legacy forward, he’s paying tribute to the man who inspired his dream. As he revealed, "He has been advising me on many things, including how to prepare for this mission." Shukla is taking a secret memento along as a personal gift for Sharma, though he’s keeping the exact item a surprise until his return.
Meet Joy: The Space Swan
Joining Shukla on this cosmic journey is a small white toy swan named Joy. More than a mascot, Joy will serve as the zero-gravity indicator. As soon as the capsule hits orbit, Joy will begin to float—signalling to the astronauts that they’ve officially left Earth.
But Joy holds deeper meaning. The swan, a symbol rich in cultural significance across the globe, was chosen for what it represents. In India, it’s the vehicle of Goddess Saraswati and a symbol of wisdom. In Poland, it stands for purity and resilience, and in Hungary, grace and loyalty. The toy swan is a shared emblem of unity - mirroring the spirit of international cooperation that defines the mission.
Love That Lifts Off
Before launching into the cosmos, Shukla penned a heartfelt note to his wife, Kamna. In a message posted to Instagram, he wrote:
“As we plan to leave the planet early morning of 25 Jun, I wish to thank everyone who has been involved in this mission for their support and also to all the people back home for their blessings and love.”
He went on to express his deepest gratitude to his wife:
"Special thanks to Kamna for being the wonderful partner that you are. Without you none of this was possible but more importantly none of this would matter."
The touching post was accompanied by a photograph capturing a farewell shared through a glass partition - symbolising the distance between Earth and space, but not between hearts.
A Traditional Send-Off
Just hours before take-off, Shukla’s family kept tradition alive. In a virtual gesture of love and good luck, his mother performed a familiar Indian ritual: feeding him dahi-cheeni (yogurt with sugar) via video call - a customary blessing before major life events.
As Shukla prepared to step into history, his final message to his family was simple and strong: "Just wait for me, I'm coming."
As he travels beyond the bounds of Earth, Shubhanshu Shukla carries more than science with him - he carries stories, symbols, and sentiments from home, making this mission as deeply human as it is historic.
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