Indian astronaut Group Captain Shubhanshu Shukla is preparing to return to Earth after a successful mission aboard the International Space Station (ISS) as part of the Axiom-4 (Ax-4) mission. The mission, which launched on June 25, 2025, from NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Florida, saw the SpaceX Dragon spacecraft successfully dock with the ISS on June 26.
The Ax-4 mission, a collaboration between NASA, SpaceX, and ISRO, aimed to strengthen international spaceflight cooperation. Shukla, a test pilot with the Indian Air Force (IAF) and an astronaut with the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO), is the first ISRO astronaut to visit the ISS and the second Indian to travel to space, following Rakesh Sharma's mission in 1984.
Group Captain Shukla and his three crewmates, Commander Peggy Whitson of the U.S., Mission Specialist Sławosz Uznański-Wiśniewski of Poland, and Mission Specialist Tibor Kapu of Hungary, are scheduled to undock from the ISS on July 14, 2025. The undocking is scheduled for 4:30 PM IST, with the Dragon spacecraft expected to splash down off the coast of California at approximately 3:00 PM IST on July 15. The return was initially scheduled for July 10 but was extended by four days.
During his time on the ISS, Shukla has been involved in over 60 scientific studies and activities representing 31 countries. He conducted several India-specific experiments, including sprouting 'moong' and 'methi' seeds to study the effects of microgravity on plant development and working with microalgae for potential food and biofuel production. Shukla also performed centrifugation and freezing of microalgae samples to study their potential in supporting life on long-duration missions. Other research encompassed stem cell studies and cognitive load assessments. Union Minister Jitendra Singh stated that Shukla also conducted experiments on sprouts and microalgae to study microgravity's effects.
The mission will return with over 580 pounds of cargo, including NASA hardware and data from the various experiments conducted. NASA will provide live coverage of the undocking and departure of the Ax-4 mission from the ISS on NASA's website and YouTube channel.
Upon his return, Shukla will undergo a seven-day rehabilitation program under the supervision of flight surgeons to readjust to Earth's gravity. ISRO's medical team has been closely monitoring Shukla's health throughout the mission, reporting that he remains in excellent condition.
Shukla's mission is considered a significant step for India's space program, providing valuable knowledge for future projects such as the Gaganyaan human spaceflight program and the planned Bhartiya Antariksha Station. His successful completion of experiments in orbit and safe return are expected to inspire a new generation of Indian scientists and astronauts and strengthen international collaboration in space research.
Shukla's parents have expressed their pride and excitement for his return, stating they will welcome him with open arms. His father, Shambhu Dayal Shukla, shared that it felt great to see his son's mission progressing well.
The Axiom-4 mission is part of NASA's broader plan to foster a sustainable low Earth orbit economy by partnering with private entities for lower-cost services, allowing the agency to focus on deep space missions under the Artemis program.
