As India's Shubhanshu Shukla's embarked on a historic milestone in space exploration, a graceful white swan is capturing hearts and headlines. This isn’t just any swan—it’s Joy, a plush toy that is accompanying Indian Air Force Group Captain Shubhanshu Shukla on his journey aboard Axiom Mission 4 (Ax-4) to the International Space Station (ISS). Group Captain Shukla is set to become the first Indian astronaut to reach the ISS, it is Joy who will first float in zero gravity.
But this feathered friend is more than a cute companion. Chosen as the Zero-G indicator for the mission, Joy carries the weight of tradition, symbolism, and a touch of India’s cultural elegance into the vastness of space.
What is Zero-G indicator in space missions?
A Zero-G indicator is an object (often a soft toy) used to visualize the transition into weightlessness during a crewed space mission. The tradition of using a soft toy as a Zero-G indicator has been a longstanding one in the history of human spaceflight. The concept traces back to Yuri Gagarin’s pioneering mission in 1961 when a small doll accompanied him to detect weightlessness. SpaceX, continuing this practice, has seen astronauts bring plushies ranging from dinosaurs to Earth-themed characters.
On Axion 4, Joy will serve this same role. Once the SpaceX Dragon spacecraft enters Earth’s orbit, Joy will detach from its tether and begin to float, silently confirming that the spacecraft and its human crew have officially entered microgravity. For those watching back on Earth, it will be a simple yet profound symbol of humankind’s ascent into the cosmos.
Why a Swan?
The selection of a swan wasn’t arbitrary. The crew of four astronauts—representing India, Hungary, Poland, and the United States—chose the swan together, but the symbolism resonates deeply for India. In Indian mythology, the swan is the vahana (divine vehicle) of Goddess Saraswati, the deity of wisdom, learning, and the arts. The bird signifies purity, transcendence, and spiritual grace.
The Mission: Axiom 4 Launch and Objectives
After months of anticipation and several delays, Axiom Mission 4 finally set off from NASA’s Kennedy Space Center. Commanding the mission is Peggy Whitson, a seasoned former NASA astronaut and current Director of Human Spaceflight at Axiom Space. Group Captain Shubhanshu Shukla, representing ISRO and the Indian Air Force, will serve as the mission’s pilot. He is accompanied by two other private astronauts from Hungary and Poland.
This two-week mission marks a significant milestone in Indo-American space collaboration. It fulfills a promise made during a 2019 joint commitment between then-U.S. President Donald Trump and Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi to deepen cooperation in space exploration. The astronauts will conduct joint scientific investigations, educational STEM demonstrations, and commercial outreach activities during their stay aboard the ISS.
Who Is Shubhanshu Shukla?
Born in Lucknow, Uttar Pradesh, Group Captain Shubhanshu Shukla—fondly known as Shux—is set to become the first Indian astronaut in space since Rakesh Sharma in 1984. His journey to the stars began in the classrooms of City Montessori School, where the seeds of ambition were first sown.
Without telling his family, he appeared for and cleared the UPSC NDA entrance exam. He later completed his B.Sc. in Computer Science at the National Defence Academy, followed by flying training at the Indian Air Force Academy. Commissioned into the fighter stream in 2006, Shukla went on to become a highly decorated test pilot with more than 2,000 hours of flying time across various aircraft including the Su-30 MKI, MiG-29, and Jaguar.
His education qualifications and family background
Shukla was one of four candidates selected in 2019 under ISRO’s Human Spaceflight Program (HSP) to train for the Gaganyaan mission. He underwent rigorous training at Russia’s Yuri Gagarin Cosmonaut Training Center and ISRO’s Astronaut Training Facility in Bengaluru. He also earned a Master of Technology degree in Aerospace Engineering from the Indian Institute of Science (IISc), further equipping himself for the complex dynamics of spaceflight.
He is married to a dentist, and the couple have a four-year-old son. His father is a retired government officer, and his mother is a homemaker. He is the youngest of three siblings.
But this feathered friend is more than a cute companion. Chosen as the Zero-G indicator for the mission, Joy carries the weight of tradition, symbolism, and a touch of India’s cultural elegance into the vastness of space.
What is Zero-G indicator in space missions?
A Zero-G indicator is an object (often a soft toy) used to visualize the transition into weightlessness during a crewed space mission. The tradition of using a soft toy as a Zero-G indicator has been a longstanding one in the history of human spaceflight. The concept traces back to Yuri Gagarin’s pioneering mission in 1961 when a small doll accompanied him to detect weightlessness. SpaceX, continuing this practice, has seen astronauts bring plushies ranging from dinosaurs to Earth-themed characters.
On Axion 4, Joy will serve this same role. Once the SpaceX Dragon spacecraft enters Earth’s orbit, Joy will detach from its tether and begin to float, silently confirming that the spacecraft and its human crew have officially entered microgravity. For those watching back on Earth, it will be a simple yet profound symbol of humankind’s ascent into the cosmos.
Why a Swan?
The selection of a swan wasn’t arbitrary. The crew of four astronauts—representing India, Hungary, Poland, and the United States—chose the swan together, but the symbolism resonates deeply for India. In Indian mythology, the swan is the vahana (divine vehicle) of Goddess Saraswati, the deity of wisdom, learning, and the arts. The bird signifies purity, transcendence, and spiritual grace.
The crew of Axiom-4 have chosen a white baby swan plush toy named "Joy" as the Zero-G indicator for this mission! 🦢
— ISRO Spaceflight (@ISROSpaceflight) June 8, 2025
Swan is the vehicle of the Hindu goddess Saraswati and represents wisdom & purity. 🕉
Mission Pilot Shubhanshu Shukla's 6 y/o son Kiash (aka Sid) also played a… pic.twitter.com/5WFlQQBVoP
The Mission: Axiom 4 Launch and Objectives
After months of anticipation and several delays, Axiom Mission 4 finally set off from NASA’s Kennedy Space Center. Commanding the mission is Peggy Whitson, a seasoned former NASA astronaut and current Director of Human Spaceflight at Axiom Space. Group Captain Shubhanshu Shukla, representing ISRO and the Indian Air Force, will serve as the mission’s pilot. He is accompanied by two other private astronauts from Hungary and Poland.
This two-week mission marks a significant milestone in Indo-American space collaboration. It fulfills a promise made during a 2019 joint commitment between then-U.S. President Donald Trump and Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi to deepen cooperation in space exploration. The astronauts will conduct joint scientific investigations, educational STEM demonstrations, and commercial outreach activities during their stay aboard the ISS.
Who Is Shubhanshu Shukla?
Born in Lucknow, Uttar Pradesh, Group Captain Shubhanshu Shukla—fondly known as Shux—is set to become the first Indian astronaut in space since Rakesh Sharma in 1984. His journey to the stars began in the classrooms of City Montessori School, where the seeds of ambition were first sown.
Without telling his family, he appeared for and cleared the UPSC NDA entrance exam. He later completed his B.Sc. in Computer Science at the National Defence Academy, followed by flying training at the Indian Air Force Academy. Commissioned into the fighter stream in 2006, Shukla went on to become a highly decorated test pilot with more than 2,000 hours of flying time across various aircraft including the Su-30 MKI, MiG-29, and Jaguar.
His education qualifications and family background
Shukla was one of four candidates selected in 2019 under ISRO’s Human Spaceflight Program (HSP) to train for the Gaganyaan mission. He underwent rigorous training at Russia’s Yuri Gagarin Cosmonaut Training Center and ISRO’s Astronaut Training Facility in Bengaluru. He also earned a Master of Technology degree in Aerospace Engineering from the Indian Institute of Science (IISc), further equipping himself for the complex dynamics of spaceflight.
He is married to a dentist, and the couple have a four-year-old son. His father is a retired government officer, and his mother is a homemaker. He is the youngest of three siblings.
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