Group Captain Shubhanshu Shukla, the first Indian astronaut to visit the International Space Station (ISS), is set to arrive back in India tomorrow, August 17, marking his first homecoming after a historic space mission. His return comes after spending nearly a year training in Houston, Texas, and completing an 18-day mission aboard the ISS as part of the Axiom-4 private space mission.

Shukla's journey to the ISS began with the Axiom-4 mission, which launched from Florida on June 25 and docked at the ISS on June 26. Alongside three other astronauts, Peggy Whitson (US), Slawosz Uznanski-Wisniewski (Poland), and Tibor Kapu (Hungary), Shukla conducted over 60 experiments and 20 outreach sessions during his time in space. Notably, he carried out seven experiments specific to India, the findings of which have been returned to lead investigators in India. During his time on the ISS, Shukla also cultivated methi and moong seeds, and conducted an experiment on skeletal muscle degradation in space.

The Dragon spacecraft, carrying the Axiom-4 crew, splashed down in the Pacific Ocean off the coast of San Diego on July 15, successfully concluding the mission. Since then, Shukla has been undergoing rehabilitation in the United States.

Shukla's mission is considered a significant milestone for India's own human spaceflight program, Gaganyaan, which aims for a launch by 2027. Prime Minister Narendra Modi has hailed the mission, stating that Shukla has inspired a billion dreams and has taken a significant step in advancing India's space ambitions.

Upon his arrival in India, Shukla is expected to meet with Prime Minister Narendra Modi in Delhi. He will then travel to his hometown, Lucknow, to reunite with his family before returning to Delhi for National Space Day celebrations on August 23. He is also scheduled to meet with Indians while on the ground on August 23.

Shukla's contributions extend beyond his time in space. He is expected to play a key role in India's Gaganyaan program, assisting the country in preparing for human space flight. He will also help with mastering the environment life control system, as the components are not importable.

In anticipation of his return, Shukla shared a heartfelt message, expressing his excitement to share his experiences with everyone in India. He acknowledged the incredible support he received during and after the mission and conveyed a mix of emotions, including sadness at leaving his international crew and excitement about reuniting with loved ones back home.