'Become The Centrifuge': Shubhanshu Shukla's Space Spin Reminds Importance Of Gravity On Earth

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Last Updated:February 10, 2026, 14:20 IST

In a video from his 2025 mission to the International Space Station, Shukla highlights the challenges of microalgae sampling.

In the weightless environment of space, even standard scientific experiments require innovation, as demonstrated by Indian astronaut Shubhanshu Shukla.

In a video from his 2025 mission to the International Space Station, Shukla highlights the challenges of microalgae sampling, showcasing how space conditions defy conventional laboratory procedures on Earth.

He spent about 18 days aboard the International Space Station (ISS) during the Axiom-4 (Ax-4) mission in June-July 2025. During his time in space, Shukla conducted dozens of experiments, helping India prepare for future astronaut missions.

While aboard the International Space Station (ISS), Shukla managed bags of microalgae cultivated over two weeks. The objective was to extract samples without air bubbles for analysis. On Earth, gravity makes this simple: flip a syringe, and the bubbles rise to the top. In microgravity, however, bubbles behave unpredictably, floating around like mischievous sprites.

Sharing the video, Shukla wrote on X, “Any experiment in space quickly reminds you that gravity does a lot of unpaid work on Earth. Without it, even the simplest tasks turn into puzzles. Here, I was extracting samples from bags of microalgae I had been growing for the past two weeks."

“No rising, no settling, just floating wherever they please," Shukla posted. His fix? Self-induced centrifugation.

Any experiment in space quickly reminds you that gravity does a lot of unpaid work on Earth. Without it, even the simplest tasks turn into puzzles. Here, I was extracting samples from bags of microalgae I had been growing for the past two weeks.The challenge: collecting samples… pic.twitter.com/HLQPuA9cEj

— Shubhanshu Shukla (@gagan_shux) February 9, 2026

He tried to generate artificial force by spinning his body. “Lacking gravity, I provided my own by spinning, using motion to push the liquid toward the syringe tip and persuade the air to move elsewhere. It took a few tries (and a bit of trial-and-error choreography) before it worked."

“Multiply that process by twelve bags, four samples each, and several spins per sample, and the math becomes clear. Let’s just say I logged an impressive number of rotations that day—proof that in space, science sometimes looks a lot like interpretive dance," he added.

Currently, Shubhanshu Shukla, along with three other astronaut-candidates are engaged in training for India’s maiden Gaganyaan Mission. Notably, the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) is in the final phases of tests and preparation for the launch of the maiden uncrewed mission to space.

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First Published:

February 10, 2026, 14:20 IST

News india 'Become The Centrifuge': Shubhanshu Shukla's Space Spin Reminds Importance Of Gravity On Earth

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