What’s a soft toy doing on a rocket to space? Get ready to meet the most unexpected astronaut companion!
On 10 June 2025, Indian Air Force Group Captain Shubhanshu Shukla will launch aboard SpaceX’s Dragon spacecraft to the ISS, and he’s taking Joy, a plush white swan, with him.
But Joy isn’t just a cuddly keepsake. She plays a vital role on board! The moment Joy starts to float, the crew knows they have entered zero gravity.
This quirky tradition started with Yuri Gagarin in 1961. Every SpaceX mission now carries a Zero-G indicator toy. From Buzz Lightyear to Earth-themed characters, each chosen for their symbolic value.
Pic: nasa.gov
Why a swan this time? Joy was jointly chosen by astronauts from India, Poland, Hungary and the United States.
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As the second Indian to go to space and the first to visit the ISS, Shubhanshu Shukla is paving the way for India’s leadership in space exploration. And Joy will be right there with him, floating into the future.