Astronaut Shubhanshu Shukla is getting ready for a big journey, a 14-day trip to space. He’ll be flying to the International Space Station (ISS) as part of the upcoming Axiom-4 Mission, which launches on 29 May.

This is a very important moment because it will be the first time India sends an astronaut to the ISS.

Even though he’ll be far from home, Shukla won’t have to miss Indian food. The Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) is preparing to send special dishes with him. The menu includes moong dal halwa, aam ras (mango nectar), and different kinds of rice.

These food items are meant to give Shukla a taste of home while he’s in space.

At a press event on Tuesday, D.K. Singh, Director of ISRO’s Human Spaceflight Centre, explained that NASA usually follows a fixed menu for all its astronauts.

But this time, since India is sending its own astronaut, ISRO wants to include India-specific meals.

“We will be sending moong dal halwa, mango nectar, and a few rice options for this mission. These options will also be included for the Gaganyaan crewed mission, along with a few more additions,” Singh said.

Scientists from ISRO and the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) have also been testing space food options for India’s future mission, the Gaganyaan crewed mission.

That mission will include more Indian dishes to keep astronauts healthy and happy in space.

 

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