Following a successful splashdown in the Pacific Ocean near San Diego, astronaut Shubhanshu Shukla has exited the SpaceX Dragon spacecraft, marking the end of his 18-day mission aboard the International Space Station (ISS). Shukla, along with the multinational Ax-4 crew, returned to Earth after undocking from the ISS a day prior. Video footage shows a smiling Shukla stepping out of the capsule and giving a thumbs-up, appearing to be in good health as he was assisted by medical personnel.
The SpaceX Dragon capsule, piloted by Shukla, experienced a brief communication blackout before deploying parachutes to slow its descent. The mission's end involved a carefully orchestrated re-entry into Earth's atmosphere, with the capsule orbiting the Earth several times to align itself for the precise deorbit burn needed to target the designated splashdown zone. The timing of this maneuver was crucial to ensure the spacecraft entered the atmosphere at the correct angle and location for a safe landing. The Dragon spacecraft also announced its arrival with a brief sonic boom before splashing down in the Pacific Ocean.
Shukla's return is a moment of national pride for India, highlighting the country's increasing role in international space exploration. He is only the second Indian to travel to space, following Rakesh Sharma's journey aboard a Russian Soyuz spacecraft in 1984, 41 years ago. This mission, dubbed Akash Ganga, is a collaborative effort between Axiom Space, NASA, and the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) and represents a significant step forward in India's human spaceflight ambitions, including the upcoming Gaganyaan mission and the proposed Bhartiya Antariksha Station.
During his time on the ISS, Shukla contributed to over 60 scientific experiments, including groundbreaking research in plant biology, materials science, and artificial intelligence. Notably, his work on the Sprouts Project, which studied plant growth in microgravity, is expected to have lasting implications for future space missions and Earth-based science. Furthermore, he conducted seven India-specific microgravity experiments designed to generate critical data for future planetary missions and long-duration space habitation.
Besides his scientific contributions, Shukla also showcased the unique properties of water in microgravity, creating a floating water bubble and joking about becoming a "water bender" on the station. He also became the first Indian to receive a haircut in microgravity, courtesy of American astronaut Nichole Ayers.
The Ax-4 mission's space odyssey began on June 25 when a Falcon-9 rocket launched the Dragon space capsule from Florida towards the ISS. On Sunday, the NASA Expedition Crew held a traditional farewell ceremony for the Axiom-4 crew. Shukla described his space journey as "truly incredible" during the farewell ceremony. The successful return of Shubhanshu Shukla and the Ax-4 crew marks a significant achievement in international space collaboration and a proud moment for India's burgeoning space program.
