Shubhanshu Shukla's Axiom-4 Mission: Halwa To Toy; Things Indian Astronaut Is Taking To Space

After a wait of more than four decades, India is once again making its mark in space travel, and this time, it's through the eyes and dreams of Group Captain Shubhanshu Shukla. On June 25, the Indian Air Force pilot is set to launch aboard Axiom Mission 4 (Ax-4), a historic private spaceflight that will take him to the International Space Station (ISS). But beyond the science, Shukla is also taking a piece of home and heart with him.

What are the things Indian astronaut Shubhanshu Shukla is carrying to space?

Born in 1985 and raised on stories of Rakesh Sharma, Shukla will now carry that legacy forward. But while he's headed for an intense scientific mission, it's what he's bringing along that adds a personal touch to his space odyssey.

As he told the BBC in a pre-launch press conference, "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 is carrying these particular sweets because they’re symbols of home, comfort, and cultural identity. Shukla said he hopes to share them with his international crewmates aboard the ISS, turning a moment of space science into one of shared human connection.

In an emotional nod to his mentor, Shukla also revealed that he is carrying a souvenir for Rakesh Sharma, the man who ignited his childhood dream of flying to space. "He has been advising me on many things, including how to prepare for this mission," Shukla shared, though he kept the details of the memento under wraps. "It will be a surprise when I return."

Meet 'Joy' – The Swan Astronaut

Furthermore, he is also taking a small white toy swan named Joy, which will serve as the zero-gravity indicator on board. The moment the capsule enters orbit, Joy will float freely inside the cabin, signalling to the astronauts that they've officially left Earth behind.

But Joy isn't just any toy. The swan was reportedly chosen for its deep cultural symbolism. In India, the swan represents wisdom and is the vahana (vehicle) of Goddess Saraswati, the deity of learning. In Polish culture, it’s a symbol of purity and resilience, while Hungarians view it as a mark of grace and loyalty. As a shared symbol among the international crew, it reflects the spirit of unity and strength that this mission carries.

'I carry hopes and dreams of a billion hearts'

Lastly, speaking just before liftoff, Shukla summed up the emotional weight of the mission by stating, “I carry not just instruments and equipment, I carry hopes and dreams of a billion hearts.”

His mission begins on Wednesday at 12:01 PM IST, launching from NASA's Kennedy Space Centre in Florida aboard the SpaceX Crew Dragon capsule, which is carried by a Falcon 9 rocket.

Axiom Space has assembled the crew in partnership with NASA, ISRO, and the European Space Agency. It includes spaceflight veteran Peggy Whitson from the United States, Slawosz Uznanski-Wisniewski from Poland, Tibor Kapu from Hungary, and Shubhanshu Shukla himself.