Shubhanshu returned to Earth from the space station, GRACE landed safely in the ocean
Shubhnshu Shukla’s landing in the sea adds a golden chapter to India’s space history. His return with the Grace spacecraft is not only a scientific achievement but also an inspiration for the country. He will return to normal life after 10 days of isolation, but his journey will always be remembered.
On July 15, 2025, at 3:00 pm, a historic moment came when Indian astronaut Group Captain Shubhanshu Shukla returned to Earth after an 18-day visit to the International Space Station (ISS). This was his first space journey, which was part of Axiom Mission 4 (Ax-4). Shubhanshu returned from SpaceX’s Grace spacecraft and landed safely in the Pacific Ocean off the California coast. This is a proud moment for India’s space program.
Journey and preparation for return
Shubhanshu Shukla was launched on 25 June 2025 from the Falcon 9 rocket. He joined the ISS on 26 June. During this time he conducted more than 60 scientific experiments, including research on muscle loss, mental health and growing crops in space.
On July 14, at 4:45 pm Indian time, the Grace spacecraft separated from the ISS. It headed towards Earth. Before landing, the Grace spacecraft went through several stages…
Deorbit burn: The spacecraft reduced speed by burning the engine to exit orbit.
Entry into the atmosphere: During entry at a speed of 27,000 km/h, the temperature reached 1,600°C, which was withstood by the heat shield.
Parachute deployment: On exiting the atmosphere, the parachute opened and slowed down the spacecraft.
Splashdown: On July 15, at 3:00 pm IST, the spacecraft landed safely in the Pacific Ocean.
The thrill of landing
Before the landing of the Grace spacecraft, a loud sonic boom was heard, which was an indication of its high speed. During the landing, communication was interrupted for some time, as the plasma layer was blocking the signal. But the recovery team boats and helicopters immediately came into action. The Ax-4 crew, including Shubhanshu, were safely evacuated. This team also included Peggy Whitson (commander), Slavoj Uznanski-Wisniewski (Poland), and Tibor Kapu (Hungary).
Returned luggage
The Grace spacecraft returned with 580 pounds (about 263 kilograms) of luggage, which included NASA hardware, data from experiments and some garbage from the ISS. This data will help in understanding human life and science in space. During this time, Shubhanshu also carried the Indian tricolor and his son’s favorite toy swan “Joy”.
Rehabilitation and future
After landing, Shubhanshu and his team were taken for medical examination. They will have to stay in quarantine for about 10 days, so that they can recover from the effects of space. They can adjust to gravity. During this time, their health will be monitored. This mission is a milestone for India, which will inspire the Gaganyaan mission and future space missions. Shubhanshu said that it is a matter of pride to hoist the Indian flag in space. Now preparations are on for a new beginning.
News