Astronaut's 'White Nights' on ISS: Shukla's Surreal Experience Challenges Perception of Time and Poses Engineering Hurdles

For most of us, the rhythm of day and night is constant, defined by sunrise and sunset. But for astronaut Shubhanshu Shukla, India’s first spacefarer aboard the International Space Station (ISS) during the Axiom-4 mission, that rhythm was dramatically altered. Instead of the familiar cycle of sunrises and sunsets seen from orbit, Shukla encountered a rare and surreal phenomenon: “white nights.” During these stretches, the sun neither fully rises nor sets, leaving the station bathed in unbroken daylight. His account, shared through videos and posts, offers not just a scientific explanation but also a deeply human glimpse of living where cosmic geometry dictates time.Shukla described the view as “a day that never ends.” In his footage, the sun lingers at the horizon yet refuses to set, painting the station in a strange glow. For him, the experience was more than scientific curiosity—it was a reminder of how human perception of time is tied to natural cycles. He noted that this phenomenon challenged not only the crew’s sense of routine but also their emotional connection to day and night, bringing moments of awe and disorientation.Unlike Earth’s polar white nights, which occur due to the planet’s axial tilt, the ISS version arises from a parameter called the beta angle—the angle between the station’s orbital plane and the sun. When this angle nears 90 degrees, the ISS’s path ensures that it remains in near-constant sunlight. Instead of dramatic orbital sunsets and sunrises, astronauts float in a world of continuous brightness, where the sun dips low but never disappears.Beyond its beauty, high beta angles that trigger white nights pose engineering and safety hurdles. Persistent sunlight prevents the station from cooling effectively, which is why docking or undocking maneuvers are often avoided during such phases. Solar arrays, designed to track the sun for maximum power, face added thermal stress when exposed to constant rays. Astronauts must adapt both physically and mentally to this demanding environment, adjusting schedules and routines to maintain balance.Shukla’s reflections connect personal wonder with global science. His accounts mirror decades of NASA and astronaut testimonies that highlight the ISS as not just a laboratory, but also a stage for uniquely human experiences. “White nights” remind us that in orbit, sunrise and sunset are not guarantees—they are calculations shaped by geometry and speed. For India, Shukla’s story also deepens the cultural connection to space exploration, bringing back a narrative that is equal parts scientific achievement and human adventure.