Why is Shubhanshu Shukla taking a toy to space?
Shubhanshu Shukla will carry a toy swan named "Joy" aboard the Axiom-4 mission as the zero-gravity indicator, floating once the spacecraft reaches microgravity. Beyond its practical purpose, the swan holds deep meaning- wisdom and connection to Goddess Saraswati in Indian mythology, purity in Poland, and loyalty in Hungarian culture, representing the diverse heritage of the international crew.