Why a white swan named ‘Joy’ is flying to space with Shubhanshu Shukla in the Axiom-4 mission | – The Times of India

India’s eagerly awaited return to human spaceflight is to receive a poetic and symbolic boost not only from rocket power, but from cultural symbolism and international goodwill. Indian Air Force Group Captain Shubhanshu shukla is soon to make history as the first Indian astronaut in orbit since Rakesh Sharma’s historic 1984 mission. But this time, according to the Economic Times report, he will not be going alone. Along with him will be a white plush swan named ‘Joy’ aboard the Axiom-4 mission to the International Space Station (ISS).Not just a toy, Joy is the Axiom-4 crew’s formal zero-gravity indicator, and the tradition is as old as space travel itself. While the swan drifts freely within the Dragon capsule, it will represent India’s spiritual legacy, technological prowess, and its increasing involvement in space exploration around the world.

Why astronaut Shubhanshu Shukla’s Axiom-4 Mission includes a soft toy swan named ‘Joy’

SpaceX onboard missions, plush toys have traditionally played an essential but symbolic role: that of zero-gravity indicators. Plush friends start to drift as soon as the spacecraft attains orbit, visually indicating that the spacecraft has entered orbit. For this flight, the crew collectively chose a plush white swan, now known as Joy, to fill this function.But to Group Captain Shukla and to India, Joy is not just a visual signal, it’s a cultural icon, as reported by the Economic Times. The swan in Indian mythology is sacred, the ‘vahana’ of Goddess Saraswati, the embodiment of knowledge, wisdom, and the arts. The mythological stories of the swan separating milk from water reinforce discernment and purity, values which the space exploration ethos resonates strongly to.Group Captain Shukla has said taking Joy into space is a grounding personal act and an expression of Indian culture:“Joy is a piece of home in orbit – a symbol of unity, grace, and spiritual continuity in our quest for the stars.”

Who is Group Captain Shubhanshu Shukla

Group Captain Shukla is a veteran pilot in the Indian Air Force and an ISRO’s Human Spaceflight Program (HSP) member. His joining the Axiom-4 mission is a major milestone for India’s spaceflight ambitions, especially with the country gearing up for its Gaganyaan mission.Shukla will be pilot on this global crew mission, together with veteran space hands and rookie astronauts:

Each one is part of a multicultural, multinational crew that demonstrates the cooperative nature of today’s space travel.

Symbolism and international reception: Why ‘Joy’ the Swan is important

Although it sounds fanciful, the presence of Joy the Swan has struck a chord on social media and in the Indian public consciousness. It’s not only a plush toy; it’s a piece of culture drifting around low Earth orbit, bringing international attention to the soft power of symbolism in science.As per reports, other zero-G toys on previous missions have been:

All of these companions brought significance and grace. Joy stands among them but brings cultural significance and spiritual tribute specific to India’s first representation on the ISS.

Axiom-4 Mission overview

The Axiom-4 mission is the fourth commercial crewed mission arranged by Axiom Space to the ISS, run under partnership with NASA and SpaceX. The astronauts will remain on board the ISS for about 14 days, pursuing scientific research, conducting outreach, and supporting operational tasks.Shukla’s visit is India’s first astronaut mission to the ISS, filling a 41-year wait since Rakesh Sharma’s Soviet-sponsored Soyuz flight in 1984. The Department of Space has spent an estimated Rs 413 crore on the mission, marking increasing Indian involvement in public and private space missions.