Teamwork key to space missions: Astronaut Shukla

Astronaut Shubhanshu Shukla, who is part of India’s Gaganyaan programme, on Saturday said that teamwork is the single most important factor in executing a space mission, as he briefly detailed his experience at the ISS and his journey to and from it.

Addressing students at the Government Model High School here, Shukla said he conducted several experiments on the International Space Station, including a study on rice seeds carried from Kerala.

He told the students that in space, everything floats, and the planet feels like home from up there.

Shukla, a Group Captain in the Indian Air Force and a test pilot, said he grew 5 to 6 centimetres while at the ISS, but upon returning to Earth, his spine was “compressed” by gravity.

“When I came back, I found it very difficult to sit down. I couldn’t even walk a step. It took me about eight days to clear medical check-ups,” he said.

Shukla said he was proud to have had the opportunity to represent India on an international platform.

He added that it is now his endeavour to ensure that more children from India get similar opportunities.

The astronaut said he wanted to share his journey and the lessons learned during his space mission.

“It is an endeavour to talk about the mission, explain the complexity of human space missions, and inspire the next generation to pursue these challenging careers, which will benefit both them and the country,” he told reporters outside the school.