NEW DELHI: Group Captain Shubhanshu Shukla , the first Indian astronaut to visit the International Space Station (ISS), is set to return to Earth on Tuesday, July 15, marking the end of an 18-day scientific mission aboard the Axiom-4 (Ax-4) crewed flight.
The Dragon spacecraft, carrying Shukla and fellow crew members Commander Peggy Whitson, ESA astronaut Slawosz Uznanski-Wisniewski, and Hungarian astronaut Tibor Kapu, is scheduled to undock from the ISS on Monday at 4:30 pm IST, with splashdown expected in the Pacific Ocean off the coast of California around 3:00 pm IST on Tuesday. The journey back is expected to last approximately 22 hours.
The Ax-4 farewell ceremony was held aboard the ISS on Sunday evening, also attended by members of Nasa 's Expedition 73. Speaking at the event, Shukla reflected on his experience: “It almost seems magical to me... It has been a fantastic journey for me.” Channeling the iconic words of Rakesh Sharma, India’s first astronaut in space, he added, “Even today, Bharat looks 'saare jahan se accha' from above.”
Family prepares for grand homecoming
In Lucknow, anticipation is high. Shukla’s mother, Asha Shukla, told ANI, “We pray to God that he completes his mission successfully and comes back to Earth as soon as possible and meets us… We will give him a grand welcome.” His father, Shambhu Dayal Shukla, confirmed the flight timeline, saying, “We were waiting for this, so we are happy that he is coming back. We pray to God that he comes back safely.”
Asha added that she is preparing all his favourite dishes: “He told us that this time, after coming back, he wants to eat everything he hasn't had in the past five-six years due to being abroad.”
Before launch, Shukla had packed mango nectar, carrot halwa, and moong dal halwa for his time in space, saying, “There will be plenty of food to eat in space, but I will be carrying mango nectar, carrot halwa, and moong dal halwa with me.”
Axiom-4’s science and outreach success
Launched on June 25 from Nasa ’s Kennedy Space Center aboard a Falcon-9 rocket, Axiom-4 docked with the ISS on June 26. Over 18 days, the team carried out more than 60 experiments, including studies on human health, space agriculture, mental well-being, and space suit materials. The mission will return with over 580 pounds of cargo, including scientific equipment and research samples.
Shukla focused on testing glucose monitors in microgravity, contributing to efforts aimed at enabling diabetic individuals to participate in future space missions.
In his final remarks from space, Shukla said, “I carry with me a lot of memories and learnings. But what stays with me most is what humanity can achieve when we all come together for a common goal.” He also thanked ISRO, Nasa , SpaceX, and Axiom Space, and acknowledged the contributions of Indian students and researchers to the mission’s outreach goals.
What’s next for him
After splashdown, Shukla and his crewmates will be transported to Nasa ’s Johnson Space Center in Houston, where they will undergo post-landing protocols under medical supervision before being cleared for return to their home countries.
He will undergo a series of medical and psychological evaluations, covering physical fitness, balance, reflexes, cardiovascular function, and immune response. Nasa ’s Human Health and Performance team will lead the assessments.
Shukla will also be debriefed on his mission experience and the experiments he conducted. This data will aid both Axiom and ISRO as they plan future collaborative space missions. He is expected to be formally recognised by Indian scientific institutions, including ISRO and the Indian Air Force, and may receive honours from government bodies for his achievements in space exploration.
How he’ll cope with Earth’s gravity After spending over two weeks in microgravity, Shukla’s body will need time to readjust to Earth’s gravity. Space travel leads to temporary loss of bone density and muscle mass, along with fluid redistribution that affects blood circulation and organ function.
Nasa specialists note that astronauts often experience symptoms such as "puffy face," "chicken legs," vision changes, and even increased height during the early days in space. Upon return, rehabilitation protocols kick in. These include compression garments to stabilise blood pressure, hydration with salt tablets and water, and physical therapy to rebuild strength, coordination, and balance.
According to Dr. Dervay from Nasa, “Almost every organ system in the body is impacted to some degree – whether it's the skin, the neurovestibular, the bone, muscle, the immunological system, the cardiovascular system.”
However, Nasa says no extraordinary measures are needed in Shukla’s case. “We don’t see any need for any special precaution,” said Dina Contella, deputy manager of Nasa’s ISS Program. “Like any astronauts coming back, there is an acclimation period, and so that will vary by crew member.”
Shukla’s recovery will also help space agencies better understand the impact of short-duration missions, crucial for long-term exploration goals such as missions to the Moon and Mars.
A landmark mission for India Shukla’s mission is being seen as a symbolic and scientific milestone in India’s space journey. Coming ahead of ISRO’s Gaganyaan mission, it represents India’s growing presence in international space collaboration. At the farewell, Shukla noted, “If we decide, then even stars are attainable (taara api prapyante).”
As he prepares to step back on Earth, Shukla brings not just research findings and experience, but a message of aspiration, unity, and national pride.
(With inputs from agencies)
The Dragon spacecraft, carrying Shukla and fellow crew members Commander Peggy Whitson, ESA astronaut Slawosz Uznanski-Wisniewski, and Hungarian astronaut Tibor Kapu, is scheduled to undock from the ISS on Monday at 4:30 pm IST, with splashdown expected in the Pacific Ocean off the coast of California around 3:00 pm IST on Tuesday. The journey back is expected to last approximately 22 hours.
The Ax-4 farewell ceremony was held aboard the ISS on Sunday evening, also attended by members of Nasa 's Expedition 73. Speaking at the event, Shukla reflected on his experience: “It almost seems magical to me... It has been a fantastic journey for me.” Channeling the iconic words of Rakesh Sharma, India’s first astronaut in space, he added, “Even today, Bharat looks 'saare jahan se accha' from above.”
Family prepares for grand homecoming
In Lucknow, anticipation is high. Shukla’s mother, Asha Shukla, told ANI, “We pray to God that he completes his mission successfully and comes back to Earth as soon as possible and meets us… We will give him a grand welcome.” His father, Shambhu Dayal Shukla, confirmed the flight timeline, saying, “We were waiting for this, so we are happy that he is coming back. We pray to God that he comes back safely.”
Asha added that she is preparing all his favourite dishes: “He told us that this time, after coming back, he wants to eat everything he hasn't had in the past five-six years due to being abroad.”
Before launch, Shukla had packed mango nectar, carrot halwa, and moong dal halwa for his time in space, saying, “There will be plenty of food to eat in space, but I will be carrying mango nectar, carrot halwa, and moong dal halwa with me.”
Axiom-4’s science and outreach success
Launched on June 25 from Nasa ’s Kennedy Space Center aboard a Falcon-9 rocket, Axiom-4 docked with the ISS on June 26. Over 18 days, the team carried out more than 60 experiments, including studies on human health, space agriculture, mental well-being, and space suit materials. The mission will return with over 580 pounds of cargo, including scientific equipment and research samples.
Shukla focused on testing glucose monitors in microgravity, contributing to efforts aimed at enabling diabetic individuals to participate in future space missions.
In his final remarks from space, Shukla said, “I carry with me a lot of memories and learnings. But what stays with me most is what humanity can achieve when we all come together for a common goal.” He also thanked ISRO, Nasa , SpaceX, and Axiom Space, and acknowledged the contributions of Indian students and researchers to the mission’s outreach goals.
What’s next for him
After splashdown, Shukla and his crewmates will be transported to Nasa ’s Johnson Space Center in Houston, where they will undergo post-landing protocols under medical supervision before being cleared for return to their home countries.
He will undergo a series of medical and psychological evaluations, covering physical fitness, balance, reflexes, cardiovascular function, and immune response. Nasa ’s Human Health and Performance team will lead the assessments.
Shukla will also be debriefed on his mission experience and the experiments he conducted. This data will aid both Axiom and ISRO as they plan future collaborative space missions. He is expected to be formally recognised by Indian scientific institutions, including ISRO and the Indian Air Force, and may receive honours from government bodies for his achievements in space exploration.
How he’ll cope with Earth’s gravity After spending over two weeks in microgravity, Shukla’s body will need time to readjust to Earth’s gravity. Space travel leads to temporary loss of bone density and muscle mass, along with fluid redistribution that affects blood circulation and organ function.
Nasa specialists note that astronauts often experience symptoms such as "puffy face," "chicken legs," vision changes, and even increased height during the early days in space. Upon return, rehabilitation protocols kick in. These include compression garments to stabilise blood pressure, hydration with salt tablets and water, and physical therapy to rebuild strength, coordination, and balance.
According to Dr. Dervay from Nasa, “Almost every organ system in the body is impacted to some degree – whether it's the skin, the neurovestibular, the bone, muscle, the immunological system, the cardiovascular system.”
However, Nasa says no extraordinary measures are needed in Shukla’s case. “We don’t see any need for any special precaution,” said Dina Contella, deputy manager of Nasa’s ISS Program. “Like any astronauts coming back, there is an acclimation period, and so that will vary by crew member.”
Shukla’s recovery will also help space agencies better understand the impact of short-duration missions, crucial for long-term exploration goals such as missions to the Moon and Mars.
A landmark mission for India Shukla’s mission is being seen as a symbolic and scientific milestone in India’s space journey. Coming ahead of ISRO’s Gaganyaan mission, it represents India’s growing presence in international space collaboration. At the farewell, Shukla noted, “If we decide, then even stars are attainable (taara api prapyante).”
As he prepares to step back on Earth, Shukla brings not just research findings and experience, but a message of aspiration, unity, and national pride.
(With inputs from agencies)
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