Lagatar24 Desk
New Delhi: Indian astronaut Shubhanshu Shukla has given his fellow space travelers a sweet taste of home, delighting the crew of Axiom Mission 4 (Ax-4) aboard the International Space Station with the classic Indian dessert, Gajar ka halwa. The special treat, developed for space consumption by ISRO and DRDO, was the highlight of a lively party held aboard the ISS, marking one of the mission’s most memorable evenings.
Celebration Highlights Cultural Unity in Space
The festive meal aboard the station featured a diverse menu, including rehydrated shrimp cocktails, crackers, savoury chicken fajitas, and for dessert, a cake made from sweet bread, condensed milk, and walnuts—an homage to the international crew’s varied backgrounds. Yet, it was Shukla’s Gajar ka halwa, a beloved carrot-based dessert from India, that truly stole the show, symbolizing both technological innovation in space cuisine and the joy of sharing traditions far from Earth.
Astronaut Jonny Kim described the event as one of his most unforgettable experiences on the mission. “One of the most unforgettable evenings I’ve experienced on this mission was sharing a meal with new friends, Ax-4, aboard the International Space Station. We swapped stories and marveled at how people from diverse backgrounds and nations came together to represent humanity in space,” he shared on social media.
Food as a Bridge Between Cultures
Gatherings like these aboard the ISS serve a greater purpose than merely breaking the routine. They foster camaraderie among astronauts and highlight the unifying power of food, particularly dishes adapted for microgravity environments. The inclusion of Indian cuisine demonstrates the expanding scope of international collaboration in space exploration and emphasizes the importance of maintaining astronauts’ well-being by providing familiar cultural comforts.
As Shukla and his Ax-4 crewmates continue their scientific research and prepare for their return journey, moments like these underscore the human side of space travel—proving that even hundreds of kilometers above Earth, a simple dessert can bridge cultures and create lasting memories.
The Ax-4 crew is set to begin preparations to undock from the ISS on Monday.
