New Delhi: Indian astronaut Group Captain Shubhanshu Shukla and his fellow Axiom-4 crew members have officially departed the International Space Station (ISS), beginning their return journey to Earth. The SpaceX Dragon capsule detached from the ISS a short while ago and will splash down off the coast of California tomorrow, after approximately 22.5 hours of orbital travel.
The announcement was confirmed by SpaceX in a post on social media platform X (formerly Twitter). The spacecraft will now perform a series of controlled departure burns before re-entering Earth’s atmosphere.
Group Captain Shubhanshu Shukla made history as the first Indian astronaut to visit the ISS and only the second Indian in space, after Wing Commander Rakesh Sharma in 1984. His 14-day mission aboard the ISS included the execution of seven India-specific scientific experiments across microgravity, materials science, and space biology.
During a farewell ceremony aboard the ISS, Shukla emotionally reflected on his journey:
“India looks full of ambition, fearless, confident, and full of pride from space,” he said. Echoing Rakesh Sharma’s legendary words, he added, “India still looks saare jahan se accha from above.”
Rehabilitation Protocol After Splashdown
After landing in the Pacific Ocean, Group Captain Shukla and the other Axiom-4 crew members will undergo a 7-day rehabilitation programme. This standard procedure helps astronauts adapt back to Earth’s gravity under the guidance of NASA and Axiom flight surgeons and medical teams.
About Axiom-4: A Global Collaborative Mission
The Axiom-4 mission lifted off from NASA’s Kennedy Space Center, Florida, on June 26 aboard a SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket. Alongside Shukla, the mission includes:
- Commander Peggy Whitson (USA), a seasoned NASA astronaut
- Slawosz Uznanski-Wisniewski (Poland)
- Tibor Kapu (Hungary)
Together, the crew carried out international and commercial scientific activities aboard the ISS.
Shubhanshu Shukla’s successful mission marks a significant milestone for India’s space journey, symbolizing the country’s growing presence in global human spaceflight initiatives. His historic visit to the ISS is expected to inspire future Indian space missions, including the country’s much-anticipated Gaganyaan programme.
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