Group Captain Shukla Successfully Completes All Seven Microgravity Experiments Aboard the ISS, Confirms ISRO

In a remarkable achievement for India’s space research ambitions, Group Captain Shubhanshu Shukla has successfully completed all seven microgravity experiments during his 18-day stay at the International Space Station (ISS) as part of the Axiom-4 mission, confirmed the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) on Monday.

The Indian Air Force pilot-turned-spacefarer, Shubhanshu Shukla, was among the crew members of the Axiom-4 mission, marking a significant milestone in India’s human spaceflight and applied science initiatives. According to ISRO, the experiments conducted by Shukla aboard the ISS covered biomedical, material science, fluid dynamics, and space-based agriculture — all tested in the extreme conditions of microgravity.

A Proud Moment for Indian Space Science

These successful experiments will contribute to global science and enhance India’s capabilities in long-duration spaceflight, said an ISRO official, noting that Shubhanshu Shukla’s microgravity experiments will also lay the groundwork for Gaganyaan, India’s maiden human spaceflight mission. His 18-day space sojourn wasn’t just about floating in zero gravity. It was filled with rigorous experimentation, data collection, and monitoring of physiological changes, all performed under real-time support from Indian scientists and mission control teams.

Why This Matters for India

Shukla’s work is being hailed as a breakthrough for India’s space ecosystem, especially as ISRO intensifies preparations for Gaganyaan, India’s first crewed mission. With astronauts needing to survive and thrive in microgravity, such real-world data is invaluable for mission planning, life support systems, and habitat design.

His achievement also strengthens India’s partnership with international space agencies through the Axiom Space collaboration, opening the door for future joint missions and academic exchange.

What’s Next?

As ISRO continues analyzing the data, India is already a step closer to long-duration space stays, space station planning, and biomedical innovation. Shukla’s successful experiments also set a strong precedent for future Indian astronauts and research missions aboard the ISS or indigenous platforms.