Group Captain Shubhanshu Shukla, India’s first astronaut to visit the International Space Station (ISS), has safely returned to Earth after an 18-day mission, marking a moment of national pride and scientific progress for India.
The SpaceX Dragon capsule, carrying the Ax-4 crew including Shukla, splashed down in the Pacific Ocean off the coast of San Diego at 3 p.m. IST on Monday. The successful completion of the mission is being hailed as a major step forward in India’s growing space ambitions.
Prime Minister Modi Welcomes Shukla
Soon after the splashdown, Prime Minister Narendra Modi took to social media platform X (formerly Twitter) to welcome Shukla and underline the national importance of the moment. In his words:
“I join the nation in welcoming Group Captain Shubhanshu Shukla as he returns to Earth from his historic mission to Space. As India’s first astronaut to have visited International Space Station, he has inspired a billion dreams through his dedication, courage and pioneering spirit. It marks another milestone towards our own Human Space Flight Mission – Gaganyaan.”
This marks a symbolic bridge between India’s participation in international missions and its own upcoming Gaganyaan mission — India’s first planned human spaceflight mission led by ISRO.
Timeline: Key Moments from Announcement to Return of Group Captain Shukla’s ISS Mission
- The Axiom-4 mission, featuring Indian astronaut Group Captain Shubhanshu Shukla, was announced in late 2024 as a collaborative commercial spaceflight backed by ISRO and NASA.
- Initially slated for an early 2025 launch, the mission encountered several delays due to technical inspections and adverse weather at the Kennedy Space Center.
- After multiple postponements, the mission successfully lifted off aboard SpaceX’s Falcon 9 rocket on June 25 from Florida’s Kennedy Space Center.
- The crew docked with the International Space Station (ISS) on June 26, commencing an 18-day stay aboard the orbiting lab.
- During his time on the ISS, Shukla conducted seven India-designed microgravity experiments, including sprouting moong and methi seeds, stem cell research, and microalgae cultivation studies.
- He also performed a zero-gravity water bubble demonstration and participated in cognitive load experiments involving screen-based tasks.
- As part of outreach efforts, Shukla interacted with Prime Minister Narendra Modi, students, and ISRO scientists via video links and amateur radio transmissions.
- A farewell ceremony was held on July 13 with members of Expedition 73, during which Shukla expressed gratitude to ISRO and his fellow astronauts.
- The Dragon Grace spacecraft undocked from the ISS on July 14, 2025, after completing all scheduled activities and scientific experiments.
- On July 15, Group Captain Shukla and the crew safely splashed down in the Pacific Ocean off the coast of California, successfully concluding India’s first extended research mission aboard the ISS.
(With inputs from news agency PTI)
Scientific Milestones: Experiments That Matter
During his time on the ISS, Shukla carried out pioneering biological research, including experiments on cyanobacteria, a type of microalgae that could help sustain life in long-duration space travel by producing food, oxygen, and biofuels.
He studied two different strains of these organisms to observe how microgravity impacts their growth, structure, and biochemical activity, using a centrifugation method onboard the station. These findings could be crucial for future missions, where closed-loop life support systems will be essential.
Union Minister Dr. Jitendra Singh praised Shukla’s work, saying:
“Not only are these experiments important for humanity, but they are also the first of their kind. They are deeply linked to survival and sustainability in space. This is a real-life example of Prime Minister Modi’s vision of India as ‘Vishwa Bandhu’—a friend to the world.”
From Childhood Wonder to Space Pioneer
Shubhanshu Shukla, 39, is a decorated Indian Air Force officer and test pilot. His journey into space makes him only the second Indian to go to space after Rakesh Sharma in 1984 — and the first to live and work aboard the ISS.
His sister, Suchi Shukla, shared a glimpse into his early passion:
“As a child, he had once been to an air show and was fascinated by the speed and sound of the aircraft. That’s when he first spoke about flying.”
A Step Closer to Gaganyaan
Shukla’s participation in the Axiom-4 mission, a commercial spaceflight supported by NASA and SpaceX, symbolizes more than personal achievement. It reflects India’s growing footprint in global space research and cooperation.
As India prepares for Gaganyaan, Shukla’s mission serves both as a technical rehearsal and a source of inspiration. His success is being seen as a milestone in India’s long-term space goals, bridging the present with a future led by Indian astronauts aboard Indian rockets.
