Astronaut and Indian Air Force Group Captain Shubhanshu Shukla on Tuesday left an audience spellbound as he described how Bengaluru appeared as the “brightest” and “most beautiful” sight when the International Space Station (ISS) flew over India during his mission in June. Speaking at an interactive session hosted by the Karnataka Department of Science and Technology at Jawaharlal Nehru Planetarium, he shared rare visuals of India captured from space, drawing loud cheers from the crowd.
‘Bengaluru stands out from space’
Shukla played a night-pass video recorded from the ISS, explaining the spacecraft’s trajectory as it approached the Indian subcontinent from the southwest over the Indian Ocean. As the footage progressed, the audience watched a glowing outline of India appear on the horizon.
“The most beautiful thing in that entire India pass you will see is Bengaluru city,” Shukla said, as the crowd erupted in applause. “It’s the brightest city in the southern parts of our country, and that stands out, really stands out.”
The video showed an illuminated stretch of southern India with flashes of lightning marking thunderstorms below. “See the flashes? These are all thunderstorms,” he explained. Alongside Bengaluru, cities such as Hyderabad and Pune were also distinctly visible.
A glimpse of orbital sunrise
One of the most spectacular moments in the video was the orbital sunrise—an experience Shukla described as “breathtaking every single time.” The green curvature of the Earth gradually brightened as the Sun rose beyond the planet’s horizon, offering a vivid contrast to the dark expanse of space.
“The green glow you see is the curvature of the Earth… and this is how an orbital sunrise looks when it happens in space,” he noted, calling it one of the most awe-inspiring views he has ever witnessed.
‘Discipline and health key to becoming an astronaut’
Addressing a hall filled with students, Shukla stressed that strong physical and mental discipline are indispensable for anyone aspiring to pursue spaceflight. “It is a bright future for our country. I’m very excited about the possibilities that the country is going to provide us, and you are all going to be recipients of it,” he told them.
He also showcased videos of his rigorous training ahead of the Axiom-4 mission, emphasising that India’s Gaganyaan programme represents a critical step toward building “world-class space capability.”
While students viewed him as a hero, Shukla redirected the spotlight to the massive team behind every mission. “Thousands of engineers, doctors and specialists made my mission possible. You can become any one of them,” he said.
Harsh realities of space travel
Shukla also shared candid insights into the physical challenges astronauts face. Going from weightlessness to the force of gravity makes even standing difficult after landing. He further explained that during emergencies, a spacecraft can subject astronauts to crushing forces.
“In emergencies, the spacecraft can exert 18-20 Gs — it feels like an elephant sitting on your chest,” he said, drawing a mix of astonishment and admiration from the audience.
A humorous take on Bengaluru’s traffic
In a lighter moment, Shukla referenced his recent struggle with the city’s notorious traffic during the Bengaluru Tech Summit. “I am coming all the way from Marathahalli… so I have spent twice the time that I’m going to be spending on this presentation with you,” he joked, winning laughs while highlighting a relatable local frustration.
Conclusion
Shukla’s session not only offered a rare glimpse of India from space but also inspired students by demystifying the life of an astronaut. His message that discipline, dedication and teamwork can make extraordinary achievements possible left a lasting impact on the young audience. For Bengaluru, the honour of being called the “brightest city” from space added a moment of civic pride—one that resonated long after the event ended.