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Shubhanshu Shukla reveals how he had to ‘learn to eat again’ while in space: ‘You can eat water'

Shubhanshu Shukla is the first Indian to set foot on the International Space Station (ISS) and the second from the country to go into space.

Updated on: Sep 03, 2025 05:59 AM IST
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Shubhanshu Shukla shared a surprising video that captured how he used to eat food while aboard the International Space Station (ISS). The first Indian to visit the ISS and the second Indian to go into space explained the routine astronauts have to follow while eating in zero gravity.

Shubhanshu Shukla drinking coffee while aboard the International Space Station. (Instagram/@gagan.shux)
Shubhanshu Shukla drinking coffee while aboard the International Space Station. (Instagram/@gagan.shux)

“Food in space. Never thought I would have to learn to eat again. Here I am explaining why habits matter when you are eating in space. If you are not mindful you can easily create a mess and you don’t want to be that guy. Solid mantra that works for anything in space ‘Slow is Fast’,” Shukla wrote.

Also Read: Astronaut Shubhanshu Shukla's emotional note for wife before journey to space

How do astronauts digest food in space?

He added, “Other interesting fact is we don’t need gravity to digest food. A process called ‘peristalsis’ is responsible for digestion which is gravity independent. It is the contraction and relaxation of muscles to push food down through the digestive tract. Head up or head down, gravity or no gravity your body will always digest food. Bon appetit.”

In the video, he drinks coffee as the liquid floats around. At one point, he jokingly says, "You can eat water in space," concluding his video about “food in space.”

Take a look at the post:

Social media is mesmerised:

An individual wrote, “Wow, Shubhanshu! It's incredible to see you master the art of dining in zero-G. From test pilot to a space pro, you've shown us that with the right mindset, even the most mundane tasks become a scientific adventure. Your insights are as inspiring as your journey! We're all rooting for you.” Another added, “Space has always inspired me, Captain, but your food training journey excites me even more. Awesome.”

Also Read: ‘Namaskar from space’: Shubhanshu Shukla shares how he’s sleeping aboard the ISS. Watch

A third posted, “It's always fascinating to see how liquid behaves in space and with some space brew on board, it is definitely fun! Loving all these videos.” A fourth remarked, “Happy to see more science being communicated!”

Shubhanshu Shukla returned to India from the US after his 18-day mission in space. He visited the ISS as part of the Axiom-4 crew.

 
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Trisha Sengupta

Trisha Sengupta works as Chief Content Producer at Hindustan Times with over six years of experience in the digital newsroom. Known for her ability to decode the internet’s most talked-about moments, she specialises in high-engagement storytelling that bridges the gap between viral trends and traditional journalism. Throughout her tenure, Trisha has focused on the intersection of technology, finance, and human emotion. She frequently covers personal finance and real estate struggles in hubs like Gurgaon, Bengaluru, and Hyderabad, while also documenting the unique challenges of the NRI experience. Her work often highlights the movements and philosophies of global newsmakers and personalities like Elon Musk, Mukesh Ambani, Nikhil Kamath, Dubai crown prince, and MrBeast. From reporting on Amazon or Meta layoffs and startup culture to the emergence of AI-driven platforms like Grok and xAI, she provides a grounded and empathetic perspective on the stories shaping our world. When not decoding the internet, Trisha is likely offline: lost in a book, exploring a historical ruin, or navigating the world as a solo traveler. She balances her fast-paced career with family time and a healthy dose of curiosity, currently trading her "human" sources for silicon ones as she masters AI to future-proof her storytelling.

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