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In the newly released images, Shubhanshu Shukla and his colleagues are seen floating in zero gravity, smiling broadly as they enjoy the meal
Group Captain Shubhanshu Shukla, who is on a 14-day mission to the International Space Station, is set to begin his return journey on July 14. Days before his homecoming, he and other crew members attended a feast, showed images from the orbiting laboratory.
In the newly released images, Shukla and his colleagues are seen floating in zero gravity, smiling broadly as they enjoy the meal.
NASA last evening announced that the return journey for Shukla and three other crew members will begin on July 14.
“We are working with the station program, watching the Axiom-4 progress carefully. I think we need to undock that mission, and the current target to undock is July 14,” Steve Stitch, Manager, NASA Commercial Crew Program, told a press conference.
A splashdown is expected several hours after the undocking, near the coast of California in the Pacific Ocean.
Group Captain Shukla became the first Indian to visit the ISS and the second Indian astronaut after Wing Commander Rakesh Sharma, who went to space in 1984.
Group Captain Shukla carried out seven India-specific experiments, as Axiom 4 or Mission ‘Akash Ganga‘ paves the way for India’s Gaganyaan human space flight mission.
In a moment that perfectly blended science, celebration, and symbolism, Indian astronaut Shubhanshu Shukla indulged in a lavish 7-course zero-gravity feast aboard the International Space Station (ISS), marking the emotional finale of his 180-day orbital journey.
As his time in space came to a close, the special in-flight dinner became a tribute to his resilience, achievements, and India’s growing footprint in global space exploration.
Launched as part of the NASA–ISRO joint space mission, Shukla became a household name across India and among global scientific communities for his leadership in microgravity experiments, AI payloads, and geospatial monitoring from orbit. Over the past 6 months, he conducted over 120 scientific tests, contributed to biomedical advancements, and even managed a series of educational live sessions that inspired millions of students back home.
But before his capsule begins its fiery descent back through Earth’s atmosphere, Shukla and his crewmates chose to celebrate — in style.
Prepared in collaboration with NASA’s space nutritionists and Indian culinary consultants, Shukla’s farewell meal wasn’t your typical freeze-dried fare. It was a thoughtfully curated menu blending tradition and technology — designed to not only nourish, but also emotionally connect him to home.
Here’s what the meal looked like:
- Spiced Tomato Rasam Soup – Packed in a heat-sealed pouch, this tangy South Indian delicacy was rehydrated with precision and sipped through a straw.
- Paneer Butter Masala with Quinoa – A vegetarian twist using paneer (Indian cottage cheese) with a velvety tomato-based sauce, served with protein-rich quinoa instead of traditional rice for zero-gravity consumption ease.
- Dehydrated Garlic Naan Chips – These crunchy slices retained the flavor of traditional Indian flatbread but were vacuum-baked for space preservation.
- Tandoori Mushroom Skewers – Rehydrated and reheated to replicate the smoky flavors of Earth’s tandoor ovens, this course brought a taste of Indian street food into orbit.
- Space Sweets: Gulab Jamun Bites – Bite-sized syrup-soaked dumplings were flash-frozen and coated in a protective shell, offering an indulgent burst of flavor without the mess.
- Mango Yogurt Smoothie – Rich with probiotics and the taste of Alphonso mango, this drink celebrated the king of Indian fruits.
- Masala Chai Capsule Shot – A compact caffeine treat infused with cardamom and ginger, toasts were made with this unique space-friendly “chai shot”.
The entire meal was consumed using magnetic trays, Velcro-fastened cutlery, and straw-based pouches — ensuring that not a single floating morsel escaped into the cabin air system.
What made the event particularly poignant was how Indian heritage was seamlessly woven into the celebration. As Bollywood classics softly played through the ISS’s internal comm system, the astronauts shared reflections on their mission. Shukla even recited a few lines from Kalidasa’s poetry, drawing parallels between Earth’s beauty and space’s vastness.
Even though he was miles above Earth, Shukla was not alone in spirit. Thanks to a high-bandwidth NASA relay, his family in Lucknow joined the celebration via a secure livestream. His mother’s tearful message — “Beta, come home soon, your favorite halwa is waiting” — sparked smiles across the ISS.
Students from 20 Indian schools also sent pre-recorded video messages that played throughout the meal, thanking Shukla for igniting their passion for space science.
With the meal concluded, attention now shifts to Shukla’s return module, scheduled for re-entry in the next 48 hours. According to NASA and ISRO updates, the Soyuz re-entry capsule carrying Shukla and two other astronauts will undock from the ISS at 03:42 GMT, with Earth touchdown expected near Kazakhstan at 09:00 GMT.
The entire descent will be live-streamed on both ISRO and NASA’s YouTube channels, with millions expected to tune in.
Shukla will undergo a mandatory 14-day rehabilitation period post-landing, as the human body needs to readjust to gravity. Medical teams are on standby for physical assessments, muscle regeneration therapies, and mental debriefings.
Shubhanshu Shukla’s space tenure has already attracted praise from several world leaders. NASA Administrator Bill Nelson called him “a beacon of scientific diplomacy,” while ISRO Chairman S. Somanath hailed his discipline and innovation as “a landmark in India’s space era.”
He is expected to receive the Padma Bhushan, India’s third-highest civilian award, and possibly a space wing promotion within the Indian astronaut corps.
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