In a moment filled with national pride, astronaut Group Captain Shubhanshu Shukla, the second Indian to journey into space, arrived in Delhi on Sunday morning. He was warmly received by Union Minister of State for Science and Technology Jitendra Singh, Delhi Chief Minister Rekha Gupta, and senior officials from the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO). Shukla's wife, Kamna Shukla, also greeted him at the airport.

Jitendra Singh shared a video on X, capturing Shukla's arrival and meetings with dignitaries, stating, "India's Space glory touches the Indian soil… as the iconic son of Mother India, #Gaganyatri Shubhanshu Shukla lands at Delhi in the early hours of morning today". Singh later added, "Privileged to receive both of them at the New Delhi Airport along with Delhi CM Smt. Rekha Gupta, #ISRO Chairman Dr. V. Narayanan and later welcomed by a group of students". A large crowd gathered outside the airport, waving the national flag and celebrating Shukla's return with traditional 'dhols'.

Shukla's journey to space began on June 25, 2025, when he launched aboard the SpaceX Dragon spacecraft 'Grace' as part of the Axiom Mission 4 (Ax-4). The mission, a collaboration between NASA, SpaceX, and ISRO, aimed to strengthen international spaceflight cooperation. He spent 18 days aboard the International Space Station (ISS), conducting experiments in microgravity. Shukla is the first ISRO astronaut to visit the ISS and the second Indian to travel to space, following Rakesh Sharma's mission in 1984.

During his time on the ISS, Shukla participated in various outreach programs, including a live video conference with PM Modi and ham radio conversations with students. He also engaged in discussions with ISRO Chairman Dr. V Narayanan, emphasizing the significance of his experiments for the Gaganyaan program. Shukla and his crewmates conducted at least 60 experiments on the Axiom-4 mission, focusing on medicine, agriculture, and the effects of space. These experiments included testing the growth and resilience of Indian Tardigrades, studying cyanobacteria for oxygen production, and researching microalgae as a food and fuel source. He also participated in ISRO's Voyager Display study, analyzing the effects of computer screens in zero gravity, and mental calculation experiments to understand brain function in space.

Shukla's contributions are expected to significantly contribute to India's Gaganyaan program, which aims to send Indian astronauts into space using an indigenous spacecraft. His experiences on the Ax-4 mission, including pre-launch quarantine procedures, international collaboration, and medical diagnostics in microgravity, will provide valuable insights for the Gaganyaan team.

Before his return to India, Shukla shared an emotional message on social media, expressing mixed feelings about leaving his mission team and his excitement about reuniting with family and friends. He reflected on his transformative journey, stating, "As I sit on the plane to come back to India, I have a mix of emotions running through my heart. I feel sad leaving a fantastic group of people behind who were my friends and family for the past one year during this mission. I am also excited about meeting all my friends, family and everyone in the country for the first time post mission. I guess this is what life is - everything all at once". He also quoted his commander, Peggy Whitson, saying, "the only constant in spaceflight is change,".

Shukla, born in Lucknow, Uttar Pradesh, on October 10, 1985, was commissioned into the IAF fighter wing in June 2006. A combat leader and seasoned test pilot, he has over 2,000 hours of flying experience across various aircraft. He underwent rigorous training at the Yuri Gagarin Cosmonaut Training Center in Russia and the Astronaut Training Facility in Bangalore.

With the successful completion of the Axiom-4 mission, Shukla is expected to resume training for the Gaganyaan Mission, scheduled for October. His historic journey marks a significant milestone in India's space exploration efforts, paving the way for future endeavors in human spaceflight.