Astronaut Shubhanshu Shukla, along with the rest of the Axiom-4 (Ax-4) crew, is set to splash down off the coast of San Diego, California, at approximately 3:01 PM IST today, July 15, 2025. This marks the end of their 18-day mission aboard the International Space Station (ISS).
The SpaceX Dragon spacecraft "Grace", carrying Shukla and the other three astronauts, undocked from the ISS on Monday at 4:45 PM IST. The 22.5-hour journey back to Earth includes a de-orbit burn that occurred at 2:07 pm IST over the Pacific Ocean, initiating the re-entry into Earth's atmosphere. Final preparations included detaching the capsule's trunk at 2:26 pm IST and orienting the heat shield to withstand the extreme temperatures of nearly 1,600 degrees Celsius during atmospheric re-entry. Parachutes will deploy in two stages: first, stabilizing chutes at about 5.7 km altitude at 2:57 pm IST, followed by the main parachutes at roughly two km before splashdown.
Shukla's mission is a landmark achievement for India's space program. He is the first astronaut from the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) to visit the ISS, and only the second Indian to travel to space, following Rakesh Sharma's mission in 1984. His presence on the Axiom-4 mission signifies a shift towards commercially arranged space endeavors with significant technological implications for India. ISRO reportedly paid approximately ₹550 crore for Shukla's visit to space.
During his time on the ISS, Shukla conducted seven India-specific microgravity experiments, contributing valuable data for future planetary missions and long-duration space habitation. These experiments included studies on space microalgae to understand their potential for producing food, oxygen, and biofuels, as well as research on the effects of microgravity on cyanobacteria.
The Axiom-4 mission, also known as "Akash Ganga," is a collaborative effort between Axiom Space, NASA, and ISRO. It represents a significant step forward in India's human spaceflight ambitions, paving the way for the upcoming Gaganyaan mission and the proposed Bhartiya Antariksha Station. The mission also marks the first government-backed human spaceflight to the ISS for India, Poland, and Hungary.
Shukla's journey has been met with immense national pride and excitement. Union Minister Jitendra Singh welcomed Shukla back, stating that the entire nation eagerly awaits his arrival. Shukla's family in Lucknow has also expressed their excitement. In his farewell address from the ISS, Shukla conveyed his pride in India's progress and ambition in space exploration.
The successful completion of the Axiom-4 mission and Shukla's return to Earth mark a new chapter in India's space endeavors. The data and experience gained from this mission will undoubtedly contribute to India's future space programs and its growing role in the global space community.