Indian astronaut Group Captain Shubhanshu Shukla has returned to Earth after spending 18 days aboard the International Space Station (ISS) as part of the Axiom-4 mission. The SpaceX Dragon spacecraft, named Grace, carrying Shukla and three other astronauts, made a successful splashdown in the Pacific Ocean off the coast of California. The splashdown occurred around 3:00 PM IST on Tuesday, July 15, 2025.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi joined the nation in celebrating Shukla's return, hailing his mission as a source of inspiration for a billion dreams. In a post on X, Modi stated that Shukla, as the first Indian astronaut to visit the International Space Station, has inspired countless individuals through his dedication, courage, and pioneering spirit. He also noted that this achievement marks another milestone towards India's own Human Space Flight Mission – Gaganyaan.
Shukla's journey to space began on June 25, when the SpaceX Dragon spacecraft launched from NASA’s Kennedy Space Center in Florida. He served as the mission pilot for Axiom Mission 4 (Ax-4), a privately organized mission to the ISS. During his time on the ISS, Shukla conducted numerous scientific experiments, contributing to research in various fields, including biology, materials science, and artificial intelligence. Some of his key projects included studying plant growth in microgravity and examining how human cells adapt to space. He also showcased a zero-gravity experiment involving water to illustrate how microgravity transforms everyday physics.
Shukla's mission is considered a symbolic and scientific milestone in India's space journey. As the first Indian to visit the ISS and the second Indian to travel to space after Rakesh Sharma in 1984, his journey has generated immense national pride and is expected to inspire a new generation of scientists and explorers.
Prior to his spaceflight, Shukla underwent rigorous training at the Yuri Gagarin Cosmonaut Training Center in Russia and ISRO’s Astronaut Training Facility in Bangalore. He was selected for ISRO's Indian Human Spaceflight Programme in 2019 and has a Master of Engineering degree in aerospace engineering from the Indian Institute of Science. A distinguished pilot in the Indian Air Force (IAF), Shukla has over 2,000 hours of flying experience on a variety of aircraft.
Upon his return to Earth, Shukla will undergo a rehabilitation program to help him re-adapt to Earth's gravity. Extended exposure to microgravity can cause muscle atrophy, bone density loss, and changes in balance and coordination, making this process crucial for his safe and healthy return to normal life.
Shukla's mission is a collaboration between NASA, SpaceX, and ISRO, intended to strengthen international spaceflight cooperation. His successful journey to the ISS and return to Earth mark a significant step forward for India's space program and its future ambitions in human spaceflight.
