From aamras to moong dal halwa: 9 things Shubhanshu Shukla will take into space with Ax-4 spaceflight
Group Captain Shubhanshu Shukla is set to travel to the International Space Station (ISS) as part of Axiom Space’s fourth private astronaut mission, Ax-4. The mission is scheduled to launch aboard SpaceX’s Falcon 9 rocket from NASA’s Kennedy Space Center in Florida at 8:22 am IST on 10 June. Here are nine items he will carry with him to space.
Shubhanshu Shukla's Axiom-4 Mission: As Indian astronaut Shubhanshu Shukla prepares to pilot the Axiom-4 Mission on June 10, he will take along a selection of Indian delicacies crafted by ISRO, including aam ras and moong halwa — flavours meant to bring a taste of home. The 39-year-old Indian Air Force officer will journey to the International Space Station with three crewmates, becoming the first Indian to into space in 41 years. (Image: SpaceX)
Aamras: One of the highlights of Shubhanshu’s space menu is ‘aamras’ made from Malihabadi mangoes — a seasonal treat and childhood favourite. The mango pulp, freshly sourced from Lucknow’s renowned Dussehri variety, was lovingly prepared by his mother, Asha Shukla, in line with strict dietary safety standards set by NASA and Axiom. (Image: Canva)
Gajar Ka Halwa: Also packed in his dabba is gajar ka halwa, prepared using desi red carrots, slowly simmered in milk and khoya, then carefully packaged to retain its taste and texture in microgravity. (Image: Canva)
Basmati Rice: Shubhanshu Shukla’s space menu features steamed basmati rice, perfect for pairing with the international freeze-dried curries available on the ISS. (Image: Canva)
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Swan Joy: One confirmed item is a small swan soft toy named ‘Joy’, which will serve as the zero-gravity indicator for the Axiom-4 crew. The swan holds special significance for all four astronauts, including Shukla. (Image: SpaceX)
Photographs: Alongside food and scientific experiments, Shukla is taking some personal mementoes from home. Although he cannot disclose the exact items, his sister believes he is “carrying our photos”. (Image: SpaceX)
Tardigrades: During the mission, astronaut Shubhanshu Shukla will work on reviving dormant tardigrades, monitor egg laying and hatching, and study gene expression differences between space and ground control groups. (Image: Canva)
Microalgae: In the Space Microalgae experiment, Shukla will examine how these organisms develop and change without gravity. If successful, microalgae may provide a sustainable food source for long space missions. (Image: Canva)
Sprouted Salad Seeds: Shubhanshu Shukla will study how sprouted salad seeds grow in space through the "Sprouting Salad Seeds in Space" experiment, a joint effort by ISRO, NASA, and BioServe. (Image: Canva)
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