Life does not work the same way in space as it does on Earth. Giving an example, Indian astronaut Shubhanshu Shukla showed how a simple task like washing your face works on the International Space Station. And it is not just us; everyone on social media was stunned to see how cool the whole thing looked!
Shubhanshu Shukla Shows How He Washes Face In Space
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In space, there is no faucet where water runs, so you can’t easily wash your face by splashing water on it. Instead, water clings to the skin rather than running down, creating an almost surreal visual. Indian astronaut Shubhanshu Shukla, who became the first Indian to visit the International Space Station in 2025, recently showed his followers how this simple task works on the ISS.
He took out a small pouch filled with water and put some directly on his face. But surprisingly, instead of dripping down, the liquid clung to his skin like a glowing liquid mask, and we were absolutely stunned. The reason? The spacecraft and everything inside it are in continuous free fall, so they experience microgravity.
Also Read: Did You Know The Rarest Passport Stamp Isn’t On Earth? Shubhanshu Shukla Reveals Where It Is
Why Does Water Stick To The Skin In Space?
Shubhanshu further explained that in space, surface tension and adhesion become much more influential compared to gravity. Water molecules attract one another, while adhesion helps them cling to the skin. With no downward pull to make the water drip, it tends to stick together. This is so cool, right?
After putting the water on his face, the astronaut simply rubbed it in, used a towel to dry his face, and that was it. The simple task was done! It is definitely fascinating, and his followers agreed. One user wrote, “Sometimes space feels like magic,” while another commented, “an excellent demonstration of fluid behaviour in microgravity.”
The Indian astronaut keeps sharing glimpses of his experiences from his 2025 visit to the ISS. Just a few months ago, she showed how astronauts baked a cake in space. He also shared his experience of making a mango salad aboard the space station.
Also Read: Mango Salad In Space? Shubhanshu Shukla Makes Mango Salad In 2 Simple Steps On ISS
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Cover Image Courtesy: @gagan.shux/Instagram
FAQs
Who is Shubhanshu Shukla?
Shubhanshu Shukla is an Indian astronaut who visited the International Space Station in 2025.
What is the ISS?
The ISS, or International Space Station, is a large spacecraft that orbits Earth. It serves as a space research laboratory.
Why does water stick to the skin in space?
Water sticks to the skin because of surface tension and adhesion in microgravity.
