Living in the vacuum of space is often portrayed as a high-octane adventure filled with dramatic spacewalks and intense scientific research. While that is true, the reality for astronauts like Shubhanshu Shukla involves a level of discipline that would make a clockmaker blush.
Aboard the International Space Station (ISS), every single action is dictated by a rigorous timeline. This schedule is broken down into tiny five-minute blocks, ensuring that every second of fuel, oxygen, and workforce is used efficiently.
HOW DO ASTRONAUTS RELAX IN MICROGRAVITY?
Shukla recently shared a glimpse into this highly choreographed life on social media. He described a moment that felt quietly surreal amidst the constant ticking of the mission clock.
While he was busy reviewing procedures for an upcoming task and mentally rehearsing his next moves, he suddenly realised he was suspended midair. There was no chair beneath him and no floor supporting his feet. He was simply existing in a state of perfect, effortless stillness.
This experience highlights the unique physical environment of the station. On Earth, relaxing usually involves collapsing onto a sofa or lying in bed to escape the constant pull of gravity. In orbit, the body is 100 per cent free from those constraints. As Shukla noted, if weekends are meant for chilling, space provides a particularly elegant way to do it.
IS THE SCHEDULE ON THE ISS REALLY THAT STRICT?
The background of his shared image featured a screen displaying a complex grid of tasks. This is the heartbeat of the station. Because the cost of maintaining a human presence in low Earth orbit is so high, Nasa and other space agencies ensure that no time is wasted. Even so, these brief moments of weightless reflection are vital for an astronaut’s mental well-being.
Watching an Indian astronaut describe the simple joy of floating reminds us that even in the most advanced scientific frontiers, the human element remains the most fascinating part of the journey. Shukla’s ability to find a moment of peace while literally hanging in the void is a testament to how humans adapt to the final frontier.
