First Indian Astronaut in Over 40 Yrs Returns to Earth
India celebrates as Group Captain Shubhanshu Shukla makes history, safely returning from a milestone 18-day mission aboard the ISS.
- Publish date: since 6 hours
Indian Air Force fighter pilot, Shubhanshu Shukla, the second Indian astronaut in space and the first to dwell on the International Space Station (ISS), returned to Earth on Tuesday, July 15, after an impactful 18-day mission.
He is expected to make a triumphant return to India by mid‑August following recovery and debriefing.
Historic ISS Mission
Shukla launched on June 27, 2025, as part of the private Axiom Mission 4 by Axiom Space, alongside veteran astronaut Peggy Whitson and European astronauts Slawosz Uznanski-Wisniewski and Tibor Kapu.
They docked at the ISS and conducted 30 experiments, focusing on microalgae, plant genes' behavior in microgravity, and space medicine research.
Return and Reception
The Dragon capsule undocked Monday, underwent a 22‑hour descent, and achieved a splashdown at approximately 1:30 p.m. near San Diego, off the coast of California. Shukla emerged smiling, greeted by recovery teams, and immediately underwent medical checks and rehabilitation to readjust to gravity.
National Pride & Recognition
India celebrated his safe return across demographics—from excited family scenes in Lucknow to heartfelt messages from Prime Minister Modi and India's President Droupadi Murmu. The mission reaffirms India's growing stature in human spaceflight, with Shukla’s journey empowering over a billion dreams.
A Key Milestone Before Gaganyaan
Funded with India's ₹550 crore (approx. $65 million), the Ax-4 mission provided real-time insights into crew preparation, space hygiene, experimentation, and recovery processes—lessons vital for Gaganyaan-4, India's first crewed domestic launch planned for 2027. Shukla’s time in microgravity, living and working aboard the ISS, sets a precedent as ISRO and Axiom validate procedures for future missions.