Group Captain Shubhanshu Shukla, India’s trailblazing astronaut on the Axiom-4 (Ax-4) mission, is set to make history once again by establishing a live ham radio contact with the UR Rao Satellite Centre (URSC) in Karnataka from the International Space Station. The event is being coordinated by ISRO and will also connect school students across India, inspiring the next generation of space enthusiasts.

Shukla, who became the first Indian to reach the ISS and only the second Indian in space after Rakesh Sharma, is currently on a 14-day mission conducting science experiments and outreach activities as part of the international Ax-4 crew. This ham radio session will allow students and engineers on the ground to interact directly with the astronaut, ask questions about life and research in microgravity, and witness real-time international space communication.

WHAT IS HAM RADIO?

Ham radio, officially known as amateur radio, is a non-commercial radio communication service operated by licensed enthusiasts. Using designated radio frequencies, ham operators can communicate across cities, countries, and even with astronauts in space. Ham radio is renowned for its reliability during emergencies when conventional networks fail, and for fostering global friendships and scientific curiosity.

Aboard the ISS, astronauts regularly use ham radio to connect with schools and amateur radio clubs worldwide, making space exploration more accessible and interactive. Shukla’s upcoming contact will mark a significant milestone for India’s space outreach, as young students will get the rare opportunity to speak directly to an Indian astronaut orbiting Earth.

WHEN WILL RADIO CONTACT HAPPEN?

The radio contact from the Space Station by Indian astronaut Shubhanshu Shukla is scheduled to happen on Friday, July 4, at 3:47 pm IST. As Shukla continues his historic journey, this ham radio contact will be a proud moment for Indian science, technology, and education, symbolising the nation’s growing presence in global space exploration.