AUG 19: Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi met Astronaut Shubhanshu Shukla in New Delhi yesterday and engaged in a detailed interaction about his recent space mission and India’s growing ambitions in the space sector. Beginning the conversation, the Prime Minister focused on the transformational nature of space travel and asked Shukla how the experience changed his perspective. The astronaut remarked that space presents a completely different environment, highlighting the absence of gravity as one of the most significant changes.
The Prime Minister asked whether astronauts remain seated for long periods during the journey. Shukla confirmed that this is correct and added that once in space, the crew can unfasten their belts and move inside the capsule. When asked if the capsule offered adequate space, Shukla said that although not very large, it was more comfortable than a fighter jet cockpit.
Describing the physiological adjustments to the space environment, Shukla explained that the heart rate slows down and the body takes four to five days to acclimatize. A similar process occurs once the astronaut returns to Earth—walking becomes difficult at first as the body readjusts. Prime Minister Modi noted that this clearly shows that space travel demands not only physical fitness but also mental conditioning. Shukla agreed and said the brain must reorient itself to new environments, which takes time.
The discussion also focused on the increasing duration of modern space missions. Shukla stated that astronauts currently spend up to eight months in space. The Prime Minister also asked about experiments carried out by the astronaut, particularly those involving the growth of Moong and Methi in microgravity. Shukla highlighted that food production in space is a major research focus and that sprouts began to grow within just eight days, using minimal resources.
PM Modi asked about the international response to India’s space achievements. Shukla said that people around the world are excited about India’s progress and are closely following the Gaganyaan mission. The Prime Minister reiterated that Astronaut Shukla’s journey is only the beginning and emphasized the need to build a pool of 40–50 ready astronauts to lead future missions. He underlined that the Gaganyaan and Indian Space Station projects are the next strategic milestones and that India’s success depends on pursuing these goals with Atmanirbharta.
