NEW DELHI — Group Captain Shubhanshu Shukla, India’s first astronaut to live and work aboard the International Space Station (ISS), is set to return home today after completing a groundbreaking 18-day mission that captured the imagination of an entire nation.
Shukla, a decorated officer in the Indian Air Force, flew as part of the international Axiom-4 (AX-4) private spaceflight — a collaboration between Axiom Space, NASA, and SpaceX. Alongside him were three seasoned spacefarers: mission commander Peggy Whitson of the United States, Polish astronaut Slawosz Uznanski-Wisniewski, and Hungarian astronaut Tibor Kapu.
The SpaceX Dragon spacecraft carrying the crew is scheduled to undock from the ISS at 4:30 PM IST today, with a splashdown expected around 3:00 PM IST on July 15 in the Pacific Ocean, off the coast of California.
India’s Giant Leap in Space
Shukla’s mission is a historic first — not just for him personally, but for India. His presence on the ISS marks India’s entry into human spaceflight on a truly global scale. From conducting cutting-edge scientific experiments to speaking directly to schoolchildren across India, Shukla used every moment in orbit to represent his country with pride.
Over the course of 18 days, the AX-4 crew carried out more than 60 scientific experiments in microgravity, bringing back over 580 pounds of research samples and hardware. Many of these experiments were designed with contributions from Indian universities and research institutions, giving students and scientists a direct connection to life aboard the space station.
A Farewell Message From Orbit
In a deeply emotional farewell message sent from space, Shukla reflected on the experience and India’s growing role in the global space community:
“Today’s India looks ambitious from space. Today’s India looks brave. Today’s India looks confident. Today’s India looks full of pride. And because of all these, I can say once again — today’s India still looks better than the whole world.”
He expressed his gratitude to ISRO, Axiom Space, NASA, and SpaceX, and gave a heartfelt salute to the young Indian minds who contributed to the mission’s scientific success.
A Moment of National Pride
Shukla’s return is being closely followed across India, with live coverage and celebrations planned at schools, colleges, and space research centers. His mission has reignited national interest in science, space, and innovation — and served as a powerful symbol of what India can achieve on the global stage.
As the world awaits the safe return of Dragon and its crew, one thing is clear: Shubhanshu Shukla has carved his name into the history of Indian spaceflight — and inspired millions back home to look up and dream bigger than ever before.
