From IISc To ISS: Shubhanshu Shukla to carry postcards as mementoes

TITUSVILLE (FLORIDA): Group Captain Shubhanshu Shukla, who is part of the Axiom-4 mission to the International Space Station (ISS), will be carrying with him a unique set of postcards designed by the Indian Institute of Science (IISc), Bengaluru — a symbolic tribute from one of India’s premier science institutions to the nation’s spacefaring aspirations.

Shukla, selected as an astronaut-designate for India’s upcoming Gaganyaan mission, has been associated with IISc as part of his training and has even published multiple scientific papers as part of research he conducted there, which TOI has reported earlier. His voyage on Axiom-4 marks not only his debut in space but also the continuation of IISc’s legacy in shaping the contours of India’s space programme.

IISc has created six distinct postcard designs, all of which are expected to accompany Shukla to the ISS. There was no confirmation if more than one copy of each of these cards would go as every gram of what an astronaut carries to ISS is measured and there’s a limit to how much each of them can carry.

Each card encapsulates a theme celebrating the institution’s century-long scientific journey and its contribution to space science. One card, titled “Leading Scientists at IISc who have contributed to India’s space program”, features pioneers like Homi J Bhabha, Vikram Sarabhai, Satish Dhawan, Brahm Prakash, and Roddam Narasimha. Another card reads: “Knowledge has no limits. Keep seeking, and it can take you places — on Earth, or in Space”.

The designs also showcase artistic depictions of the IISc campus with motifs of student life, iconic buildings like the Main Building, and messages that encourage curiosity and exploration — such as “Tapestry of Life and Knowledge” and “From a Small Step to the Giant Leap”.

Once Shukla returns to Earth, Nasa is expected to certify the flown postcards. IISc plans to preserve them as space-flown souvenirs — a first for the institute and a memento that threads India’s scientific heritage with its cosmic future.

Aside from these, Shukla will also carry souvenirs to honour Wing Commander (retd) Rakesh Sharma, India’s first astronaut and someone who has been mentoring all four Gaganyaan astronaut-designates. Shukla has kept what he’s carrying for Sharma a secret, and wishes to surprise him.