Shukla back, gives wing to India’s dreams

Astronaut Shubhanshu Shukla returned to Earth on Tuesday, concluding his 18-day stay aboard the International Space Station (ISS) and creating history by becoming the first Indian to visit the ISS and only the second from the country in 41 years to fly to space. The feat also holds the promise to herald India’s own human spaceflight ambitions.

Group Captain Shukla (39), serving as Axiom-4 mission pilot, returned along with crew members Peggy Whitson, a US who served as the commander, and mission specialists Sławosz Uznański-Wiśniewski (Poland) and Tibor Kapu (Hungary). The crew travelled back aboard SpaceX’s Dragon capsule “Grace”, which safely splashed into the Pacific off the California coast.

Shukla was seen waving as he exited the capsule. The capsule had undocked from the ISS at 4.30 pm (IST) on July 14, completing a 22.5-hour journey before entering the Earth’s atmosphere on July 15.

As soon as the spacecraft landed, two boats and teams deployed by SpaceX and Axiom Space helped the crew in exiting. The recovery ship Shannon was also in place to carry the crew back to the coast after which they were to be flown to Houston, Texas.

In Houston, the crew will undergo a minimum seven-day quarantine to acclimatise their bodies in gravitational condition after spending more than a fortnight in zero gravity.

For India, Poland and Hungary, the mission has realised the return to human spaceflight, with the three nations sending astronauts to space for the first time in more than 40 years. The mission crew reached the ISS on June 26.

President Droupadi Murmu and Prime Minister Narendra Modi welcomed Shukla’s return to Earth.

“A hearty welcome to Group Captain Shubhanshu Shukla…. His role in piloting Axiom Mission 4 has created a new milestone for India’s space exploration as well as for international collaboration in science and technology,” said Murmu in a post on X.

PM Modi said, “I join the nation in welcoming Group Captain Shubhanshu Shukla. As India’s first astronaut to have visited the ISS, he has inspired a billion dreams through his dedication, courage and pioneering spirit.”

Over the course of their 18-day mission aboard the orbiting laboratory, the Ax-4 crew conducted more than 60 scientific experiments across a wide range of disciplines, including life sciences, materials research, Earth observation and technology demonstrations. These investigations represented the interests of 31 countries, underscoring the mission’s global impact in advancing science and innovation in microgravity.

In addition to the scientific research, the crew participated in over 20 outreach events, connecting with a diverse global audience that included government officials, students, researchers, media and aspiring astronauts.

Ax-4 is the fourth in Axiom Space’s series of human spaceflight missions to the space station. Its previous missions have included astronauts from the US, Spain, Israel, Canada, Saudi Arabia, Italy, Türkiye and Sweden, with support from the European Space Agency (ESA).

With Ax-4, Axiom Space continues to build a foundation for the future of commercial space, demonstrating the importance of international participation.

Tejpaul Bhatia, Axiom Space CEO, said the Ax-4 mission was a powerful demonstration of what’s possible through commercial space.

“By enabling astronauts from India, Poland, and Hungary to carry out scientific research aboard the space station, we are supporting these nations in their contributions to human spaceflight. This mission reflects Axiom Space’s vision of a thriving low-Earth orbit economy, where access to space is no longer limited to a few, but extends to all who seek to explore, discover and innovate,” said Bhatia.

Union Minister Jitendra Singh called the 18-day space sojourn as a moment of glory for India. “One of Mother India’s illustrious sons is back. India has found a lasting space in the world of space,” he said.

Giving details about the next steps, Singh informed that all four astronauts would remain in quarantine until July 23 to complete medical and re-adaptation procedures. “From July 24, they will begin discussions with ISRO. Debriefings with Axiom and NASA will follow,” he said.

Singh also hinted at Shukla’s return to India around August 17, after completing post-mission protocols and discussions abroad. “India’s growing role in global human spaceflight programmes, including the upcoming Gaganyaan mission, is further reinforced by Shukla’s participation in Axiom-4. For India, this return signals more than the end of a space mission–it reflects a confident step into the future of international space collaboration,” he said.

Likely to return to country on Aug 17

Union Minister Jitendra Singh said Group Captain Shubhanshu Shukla is expected to arrive in India by August 17 following a series of post-mission procedures.

inspired billions

As India’s first astronaut to have visited the ISS, Shubhanshu Shukla has inspired a billion dreams through his dedication, courage and pioneering spirit.

Narendra Modi, Prime Minister

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