Axiom 4 ISS space mission: Why Shubhanshu Shukla is carrying a white baby swan soft toy named ‘Joy’

While plush toys might appear whimsical in space missions, their presence is far more purposeful than one might assume

New Delhi | Updated: June 26, 2025 05:21 PM IST

4 min read

Shubhanshu Shukla and the plush toy - Joy (Photo: Axiom Space.com)

Indian Air Force Group Captain Shubhanshu Shukla embarked on a space exploration journey aboard Axiom Mission 4 (Ax-4) to the International Space Station (ISS) on Wednesday. Shukla, who becomes the second Indian astronaut after Rakesh Sharma to go on a space mission, was seen carrying a white swan plush toy named “Joy”. As Shukla prepares to become the first Indian astronaut to reach the ISS under the Gaganyaan mission, Joy will get there first and float in zero gravity.

The toy is the “zero-g” indicator for the mission and has been described by Axiom Space as “symbolising grace and elegance.” “This zero-g indicator is more than a cute companion for the Ax-4 crew; it will be used as an indicator by the crew, shortly after launch, as a physical confirmation that they have transitioned to microgravity,” the Axiom Space website notes.

Symbolically, Joy, the baby swan, embodies the “shared pursuit of the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO), the European Space Agency (ESA), and the Hungarian to Orbit program (HUNOR)” and “represents cultural unity as three nations realise the return to human spaceflight, together as one crew.”

Swans carry rich cultural interpretations across regions and traditions. Known for their grace and elegance, swans hold allegorical meanings across cultures. “In India, it symbolises wisdom and purity, representing the pursuit of truth. In Poland, the swan stands for purity, loyalty, and resilience, while in Hungary, it epitomises loyalty, grace, and the beauty of nature,” the mission website states.

It is this “diversity” that the crew celebrates while being united in space exploration.

Taking a cue, here’s a deeper look at why plush toys play a part in space and how microgravity works.

While plush toys might appear whimsical in space missions, their role is far more purposeful than one might assume. “In fact, plush toys often serve as informal but highly effective microgravity indicators,” said Dr Hiran S Reddy, consultant physician, diabetologist, and critical care specialist at Gleneagles Hospital, Lakdi Ka Pul, Hyderabad.

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The Ax-4 crew includes members from India, Poland, and Hungary, marking each nation’s first mission to the space station in history (Photo: Axiom Space.com)

Microgravity or weightlessness occurs when a spacecraft reaches orbit and begins free-falling around the Earth. “At that moment, even the tiniest object becomes weightless. Astronauts use lightweight objects like plush toys to visually confirm the onset of microgravity, especially when more sophisticated instrumentation is not immediately accessible or practical in the capsule,” explained Dr Reddy.

He also noted that having a “soft, familiar object” on board can also provide psychological comfort, especially during high-stress moments in the mission.

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“In space medicine, the importance of emotional regulation in confined, isolated environments like a spacecraft is well acknowledged. A soft toy – especially one with cultural or personal significance – can offer a sense of connection to Earth and provide calm during intense phases of the journey,” said Dr Reddy.

Plush toys like Joy blend function with emotional resilience, symbolising the intersection of space science, cultural meaning, and human wellbeing in orbit.

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