BENGALURU: Indian astronaut Shubhanshu Shukla, currently aboard the International Space Station (ISS) as part of the Axiom-4 (Ax-4) mission, recently held a telephonic conversation with ISRO Chairman V. Narayanan, expressing his heartfelt gratitude for the Indian space agency’s pivotal role in ensuring his safe journey into space. “Salute to team ISRO,” Shukla reportedly conveyed, acknowledging the extensive efforts that enabled his successful flight.
The call, which took place on July 6, 2025, focused on various aspects of Shukla’s mission, including his health, the progress of ongoing scientific experiments, and the overall objectives being pursued in orbit. Chairman Narayanan keenly inquired about the research activities and underscored the critical importance of meticulous documentation of all observations and outcomes post-mission. He highlighted that the insights gained from Ax-4 would provide invaluable inputs for India’s ambitious indigenous human spaceflight program, Gaganyaan.
Senior ISRO officials, including Dr. S. Unnikrishnan Nair, Director of Vikram Sarabhai Space Centre, and other key personnel, also participated in the discussion, interacting with Shukla and delving into the specifics of the experiments. Shukla, who is conducting several scientific studies under the ISRO-Axiom Spaceflight agreement, shared updates on the challenges and successes of his research in microgravity.
Chairman Narayanan reiterated ISRO’s ongoing mission support and recalled his prior meetings with Shukla, which aimed to guide and motivate him before the launch. He also mentioned regular interactions with standby astronaut Prashant Balan Nair, emphasizing the agency’s commitment to ensuring comprehensive mission readiness. Shubhanshu Shukla’s observations and experiences from the ISS are expected to significantly contribute to the development and execution of the Gaganyaan mission, bringing India closer to its goal of independent human spaceflight capabilities.
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