Astronaut Shubhanshu Shukla Showcases Water Tricks in Zero Gravity

Shubhanshu Shukla, the pilot of the Axiom-4 mission, has captured public attention with an experimental demonstration involving water aboard the International Space Station (ISS). This experiment forms part of Axiom Space’s outreach and scientific initiatives, intended to illuminate how microgravity alters the fundamental laws of physics that govern everyday life.

The Axiom-4 mission, which commenced on June 25, saw Shukla and his three crewmates—mission commander Peggy Whitson, and mission specialists Slawosz Uznanski-Wisniewski from Poland and Tibor Kapu from Hungary—spend 18 days aboard the ISS before commencing their return journey to Earth on Monday evening.

In his demonstration, Mr Shukla utilised the surface tension properties of water to form a floating bubble, humorously declaring, "I've become a water bender here in the station." Fellow astronaut Peggy Whitson elaborated on the experiment by gently pressing a plastic bag into the floating water sphere. This act illustrated how surface tension can behave akin to a magnet in microgravity, altering both the shape of the water and the way it distorts light, akin to a lens.

Beyond scientific outreach, Shukla and his team have emphasised their mission's aim of sharing the beauty of Earth as seen from space. "I try to savour every moment I get—just sitting by the window and looking down. It's the most beautiful view I've seen," Shukla expressed during their time on the ISS.

Whitson noted that the crew's two-week mission successfully balanced intense scientific research with education and public engagement activities. Their outreach has reached students and communities interested in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) across India, Hungary, and Poland.

Reflecting on the return to Earth's gravity, Whitson candidly stated, "From me having experienced it, I know first person—it sucks. Gravity really does." Shukla, who is on his maiden spaceflight, expressed hopes of managing the descent more comfortably than the ascent, which had rendered him somewhat nauseous due to space motion sickness.

During a brief broadcast, the astronauts estimated they had travelled approximately 2,900 miles while engaging in their mission. The Axiom-4 mission represents a crucial step towards advancing private space exploration and fostering international cooperation in scientific research.