Exploring the ISS: Key Facts Behind Shubhanshu Shukla’s Historic Space Journey
In a landmark moment for India’s space ambitions, Group Captain Shubhanshu Shukla has become the latest Indian astronaut to visit the International Space Station (ISS). As the world watches this significant journey unfold, public interest in the ISS — its origins, function, and future — has surged. While Shukla's presence aboard the station marks a personal and national milestone, it also provides an opportunity to explore the fascinating reality of the ISS, humanity's most complex and collaborative scientific outpost in space.
Here are 10 key facts about the International Space Station, contextualized in light of Shukla's mission:
1. The ISS Is a Symbol of Global Unity in Space
The International Space Station is a multinational collaborative project. Constructed and operated through the combined efforts of countries across the globe, it represents what humanity can achieve when borders are set aside for science. Engineers, astronauts, and scientists from North America, Europe, Russia, Japan, and now India, have contributed to the mission and development of the ISS.
Shubhanshu Shukla’s participation is symbolic of India’s growing integration into this global network, reflecting an era where space is no longer the domain of just a few powers but a shared frontier.
2. It Orbits Earth at Over 28,000 Kilometers per Hour
The ISS orbits our planet at an astonishing speed of approximately 28,000 km/h, completing a full revolution every 90 minutes. That means it circles the Earth around 16 times a day, giving astronauts stunning views of sunrises and sunsets multiple times within 24 hours. For first-time visitors like Shukla, this phenomenon is both awe-inspiring and disorienting, requiring adaptation to a rhythm very different from Earth’s 24-hour cycle.
3. The ISS Is the Largest Manmade Structure in Space
Stretching the length of a football field and weighing over 400 tons, the ISS is the largest object ever placed in low Earth orbit. It consists of multiple interconnected modules serving as laboratories, living quarters, control centers, and docking stations.
Despite its enormous size, the structure appears like a moving star when viewed from Earth. For Shubhanshu Shukla, working aboard such a vast and advanced structure highlights just how far human engineering has evolved.
4. A Space Laboratory Like No Other
The ISS isn't just a home for astronauts — it's a world-class scientific laboratory. Scientists from across the globe conduct experiments in microgravity that would be impossible to replicate on Earth. Research includes fields like medicine, fluid dynamics, agriculture, materials science, and space biology.
Shukla’s mission is focused on conducting India-led experiments designed to further our understanding of how human biology reacts in space — knowledge that will help in preparing for longer missions, including potential travel to the Moon or Mars.
5. The ISS Has Been Continuously Occupied Since 2000
The ISS has hosted a rotating crew of astronauts and cosmonauts non-stop since November 2000. This makes it one of the longest-running continuous human habitation experiments in history.
As the latest astronaut to arrive, Shubhanshu Shukla joins a legacy of over 250 individuals from around the world who have lived and worked on the ISS. It is not just a workspace; it is a home in the harshest environment known to man.
6. Building the ISS Was a Massive Engineering Feat
Constructing the ISS took more than a decade and over 30 missions using different spacecraft to deliver modules, components, and supplies. It was assembled piece by piece in orbit, with astronauts performing complex spacewalks and robotics operations to complete the structure.
The station’s construction showcases humanity’s ability to build and maintain life-supporting infrastructure far from the Earth’s surface. Each part represents technological excellence, logistical mastery, and international cooperation.
7. The ISS Supports a Diverse Crew
The space station typically hosts a crew of 6 to 10 astronauts, though the number can temporarily increase during handovers or visiting missions. These crews are multinational, representing different cultures, languages, and backgrounds.
Shubhanshu Shukla is joining such a multicultural environment, where astronauts must collaborate not only scientifically but socially—eating together, working on shared tasks, and supporting one another in confined quarters.
8. Life Aboard the ISS is a Balance of Work and Routine
Daily life aboard the ISS is highly scheduled. Astronauts spend their time conducting experiments, maintaining systems, exercising for bone and muscle health, and communicating with Earth. Meals are packaged, showers are taken using rinse-free wipes, and toilets operate via suction systems.
Astronauts also make time for leisure—reading, watching movies, and looking out of the Cupola module, a panoramic observation deck with unmatched views of Earth. Shubhanshu Shukla, like many before him, will likely have moments of personal reflection staring at the world from 400 kilometers above.
9. The ISS Is a Testbed for Deep-Space Exploration
One of the key purposes of the ISS is to serve as a training ground for future space exploration. Everything from the psychological effects of long-duration missions to the impact of space radiation on human health is studied here.
Shukla’s participation comes as India gears up for its Gaganyaan mission, which aims to send Indian astronauts on domestically operated missions. Experience aboard the ISS helps ISRO prepare its own protocols for future space habitats and long-haul missions to the Moon or beyond.
10. The ISS Is Scheduled to Retire — But Its Legacy Will Continue
The ISS is expected to remain operational until 2030, after which it may be decommissioned or handed over to commercial operators. However, its legacy will persist through the knowledge it has generated and the generation of astronauts it has inspired.
For Shubhanshu Shukla, this mission is not just about science or international collaboration—it’s about legacy. He represents India’s leap into the next chapter of space history, as the ISS itself prepares for its final years of service.
A Gateway to the Future
The ISS remains one of humankind’s most profound achievements. As Shubhanshu Shukla carries out his mission aboard this marvel, India proudly joins the chorus of nations shaping the future of space travel. His journey reminds us that space exploration is not just about rockets and astronauts—it’s about ideas, unity, and shared human ambition.
From experiments in zero gravity to watching Earth spin silently below, the experience aboard the ISS continues to fuel scientific breakthroughs and inspire a generation. And with astronauts like Shukla onboard, it’s clear that India is now firmly part of that mission.