After weeks of post-mission rehabilitation in the United States, Group Captain Shubhanshu Shukla, the second Indian to journey into space, has returned to India, landing in Delhi on Sunday. He is the first Indian astronaut to visit the International Space Station (ISS).
Shukla was received at Indira Gandhi International Airport by Union Minister Jitendra Singh, Delhi Chief Minister Rekha Gupta, senior officials from ISRO, and his wife, Kamna. A large crowd waving the national flag was also present to welcome him.
Prior to his arrival, Shukla shared an emotional note on Instagram, expressing mixed feelings about leaving behind his "friends and family" from the mission while also looking forward to reuniting with loved ones back home. He acknowledged the challenges of goodbyes but emphasized the importance of moving forward, quoting advice from his commander, NASA astronaut Peggy Whitson: "The only constant in spaceflight is change". He also shared lines from the film 'Swades', which resonated with his feelings about life's journey.
Shukla's journey to the ISS began on June 25 with the launch of the NASA-led Axiom-4 mission from Kennedy Space Center in Florida. During his 18 days aboard the ISS, he conducted numerous scientific experiments, including seven led by ISRO, across various disciplines like medicine, agriculture, and the effects of space on different materials. These experiments included testing the resilience of Indian Tardigrades, studying the germination of 'moong' and 'methi' seeds in microgravity, and examining oxygen production by cyanobacteria. He also participated in a study analyzing the effects of using computer screens in zero gravity. The findings from these experiments are expected to contribute significantly to India's upcoming human spaceflight program, Gaganyaan, scheduled for launch in 2027.
Shukla's mission is considered a major step forward for India's space program. Prime Minister Narendra Modi, in his Independence Day address, lauded Shukla's achievement, stating that he had "inspired a billion dreams" and boosted India's space ambitions. Modi also mentioned India's plans to develop its own space station.
Following his arrival in Delhi, Shukla is expected to meet with Prime Minister Narendra Modi and later travel to Lucknow to be with his family. He will also participate in the celebration of National Space Day on August 23, which marks the anniversary of the Chandrayaan-3 moon landing.
Born in Lucknow on October 10, 1985, Shubhanshu Shukla is a Group Captain in the Indian Air Force (IAF). He was commissioned into the IAF fighter wing in June 2006 and has logged over 2,000 hours of flight experience across a variety of aircraft. In 2019, he began his training at the Yuri Gagarin Cosmonaut Training Center in Russia. He was unveiled as one of the astronauts training for the Gaganyaan mission in February 2024.
