Imagine trying to eat a meal while floating in the air. Simple things like drinking water or eating a bite become big challenges. This is daily life for an astronaut.
Recently, Group Captain Shubhanshu Shukla met Prime Minister Narendra Modi. Captain Shukla had just returned from a historic trip to the International Space Station (ISS). He shared fascinating stories about his time in space.
A Special Meeting in Delhi
The meeting took place at the Prime Minister's residence in Delhi. Captain Shukla, wearing his ISRO jacket, presented PM Modi with two important items:
- The official badge from his space mission, named Axiom-4.
- The Indian national flag that he carried with him to space.
The Prime Minister welcomed the astronaut warmly. Their discussion covered the experience of space, India's scientific advances, and the upcoming Gaganyaan mission.
The Big Challenge: Eating in Space!
A key topic of their conversation was the difficulty of eating in space.
On Earth, gravity holds everything down. In space, with zero gravity, everything floats. This creates unique problems.
- Food Floats: Anything that is not secured, like pieces of food or water droplets, will drift away.
- Special Packaging: Food is designed to be safe and easy to eat. It is often in the form of liquids, pastes, or dehydrated meals that need water.
- No Fresh Bread: Astronauts cannot have food that creates crumbs, as these can float into equipment. So, foods like fresh chapatis or bread are not available.
It is a difficult but interesting part of space travel.
Why This Discussion Matters for India
This conversation goes beyond interesting stories. It is very important for India's future in space.
The firsthand experience shared by Captain Shukla is invaluable for scientists at ISRO. Understanding these daily challenges, including food management, will help in planning for the Gaganyaan mission. The Gaganyaan mission aims to send Indian astronauts to space from Indian soil.
The experiences of astronauts like Shubhanshu Shukla provide crucial lessons that bring India closer to its goals in space exploration.
