Shubhanshu Shukla docks at ISS: From gajar to moong dal ka halwa, what will he eat, his daily routine & more

Group Captain Shubhanshu Shukla has successfully docked with the International Space Station (ISS) as part of the Axiom Mission 4 (Ax-4).

The spacecraft, launched aboard SpaceX’s Crew Dragon from NASA’s Kennedy Space Center, reached the ISS after a multi-hour orbital journey. This marks India’s return to human spaceflight after 41 years, following Wing Commander Rakesh Sharma’s mission in 1984.

As he begins his fortnight-long trip in space, here's what he will be eating, studying and what his daily routine would be like.

What’s on Shukla’s menu?
As Shukla settles into orbit, he has brought along a taste of home, mango nectar, carrot halwa, and moong dal halwa, specially prepared for space.

At a press conference before liftoff, Shukla said, “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.”

He also mentioned that he plans to share the food with his fellow astronauts aboard the station.

These Indian delicacies are preservative-free, commercially sterile, and shelf-stable for over 12 months, developed by ISRO’s Defence Institute of Bio-Defence Technologies (DIBT).

“These foods are without any preservatives, commercially sterile and can be stored for more than 12 months in room temperature,” said Dr R Kumar, chief of DIBT, in an interview to NDTV.

Science in Orbit: Nutrition and crop experiments
During the 15-day mission, Shukla will lead India-designed scientific experiments focused on nutrition and agriculture in microgravity. His primary assignments include:

Studying edible microalgae to assess how space radiation and microgravity affect nutrient density.

Exposing six varieties of crop seeds to space conditions. These will be returned to Earth for analysis on genetic changes, microbial load, and nutritional value, crucial data for future space farming initiatives.

These experiments are part of ISRO’s contributions to the mission and are expected to support long-term goals in sustainable space living.

Packed daily routine onboard ISS
According to typical daily schedule on the ISS for astronauts, Shukla’s daily schedule aboard may look like this:

• Scientific experiments will dominate most working hours.
• Physical exercise sessions are mandatory to reduce muscle and bone loss in zero gravity.
• Communication links with ground control and periodic updates to Indian research teams are likely part of his workday.
• The remaining time is reserved for crew briefings, system checks, and limited personal time.

Amid this demanding routine, he carries a secret souvenir for Rakesh Sharma, which he intends to present after his return. “He has been advising me on many things, including how to prepare for this mission,” Shukla said, without revealing the gift.

A swan named ‘Joy’ and a billion hopes
Floating alongside the crew is a small white toy swan named Joy, selected as the zero-gravity indicator. The swan symbolises wisdom in Indian culture, purity in Poland, and grace in Hungary, the home nations of Shukla’s fellow Ax-4 crew members.

As his journey gains attention back home, Shukla’s posters have already gone up in Lucknow, where locals celebrate their native son’s historic flight.

As he put it before liftoff, “I carry not just instruments and equipment, I carry hopes and dreams of a billion hearts.”