PM Modi Quizzes Astronaut Shubhanshu Shukla on His “Space Homework” After ISS Mission, Watch Video

New Delhi (The Uttam Hindu): Prime Minister Narendra Modi met astronaut Shubhanshu Shukla, who recently returned from the International Space Station (ISS). During their interaction, PM Modi asked him several questions, including about the “homework” given to him before his space journey. The video of their conversation has now surfaced.

Global Interest in Gaganyaan Mission

Astronaut Shubhanshu Shukla informed PM Modi that there is huge global interest in India’s Gaganyaan Mission, with top scientists from across the world eager to be part of it. On Monday evening, during his meeting with the Prime Minister, Shukla shared his experiences from the Axiom-4 mission, including his adaptation to microgravity and the experiments conducted aboard the orbital laboratory.

PM Modi told Shukla that India would require a group of 40–50 astronauts for upcoming missions and that his experience would be invaluable for the Gaganyaan program. The video of their discussion was shared on PM Modi’s social media platform X on Tuesday. Shukla added, “People are very excited about India’s Gaganyaan mission. Many of my Axiom-4 crew mates are curious about its launch.”

Homework from PM Modi

PM Modi also asked Shukla about the “homework” he had assigned him before the mission. The Prime Minister had urged the astronaut to use his spaceflight learnings to advance Gaganyaan, assist in landing an Indian astronaut on the Moon, and contribute to building India’s own space station.

PM Modi emphasized that Shukla’s experiences from the Axiom-4 mission would play a vital role in these three major projects. Highlighting India’s space ambitions, Modi said, “I had said that your mission is the first step.” He added that the ISS mission would help India realize its space aspirations. India aims to send its first crewed spacecraft by 2027, establish its own space station by 2035, and achieve a manned lunar landing by 2040.