Indian Astronaut Shubhanshu Shukla Returns to Earth Safely

News Desk: Indian Air Force Group Captain and astronaut Shubhanshu Shukla has safely returned to Earth after completing a landmark 18-day mission aboard the International Space Station (ISS) as part of Axiom Space’s Ax-4 crew. The SpaceX Dragon capsule carrying Shukla and three international crewmates splashed down in the Pacific Ocean off California’s coast on Tuesday, following a 22-hour journey back that began with undocking at 4:45 PM IST on Monday.

#WATCH | In a historic moment, Group Captain Shubhanshu Shukla and the Axiom-4 crew aboard Dragon spacecraft splashes down in the Pacific Ocean after an 18-day stay aboard the International Space Station (ISS)

(Video Source: Axiom Space/YouTube) pic.twitter.com/qLAq2tyW5S

— ANI (@ANI) July 15, 2025

Welcome back to Earth, #Ax4! Today the Dragon spacecraft successfully splashed down marking the end of their successful mission to the International Space Station. pic.twitter.com/eeAyPCmWgG

— Axiom Space (@Axiom_Space) July 15, 2025

#BreakingNews | #AxiomMission4 | Group Captain #ShubhanshuShukla and the Axiom-4 crew helped out of the Dragon spacecraft onto the recovery ship following their return to Earth after an 18-day mission aboard the International Space Station. pic.twitter.com/kw69zxSTa8

— Aviral Varshney ॐ (@AviralVarshney3) July 15, 2025

Prime Minister Narendra Modi hailed the moment as a milestone in India’s space journey. “Group Captain Shubhanshu Shukla has inspired a billion dreams through his dedication and courage,” he wrote on X, adding that the mission brings India closer to its own human spaceflight program, Gaganyaan.

I join the nation in welcoming Group Captain Shubhanshu Shukla as he returns to Earth from his historic mission to Space. As India’s first astronaut to have visited International Space Station, he has inspired a billion dreams through his dedication, courage and pioneering…

— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) July 15, 2025

Celebrations broke out at Shukla’s home in India, where family and locals gathered to welcome the nation’s newest space hero. “We are proud and relieved,” said his father, Shambhu Dayal Shukla.

The re-entry — the most perilous phase of the mission — saw the capsule plunge through Earth’s atmosphere at over 27,000 km/h, enduring searing heat of 1,600°C. A tense blackout during the descent ended with confirmation of a successful splashdown.

The crew is now headed to NASA’s Johnson Space Center in Houston for medical checks and rehabilitation. Having spent nearly three weeks in microgravity, they’ll undergo reconditioning to regain strength, balance, and endurance.

During the mission, Shukla conducted over 60 scientific experiments, including key research in plant biology, AI, and materials science. His work in the Sprouts Project, studying plant growth in zero gravity, is expected to benefit future space missions and Earth-based science alike.

Shukla’s return marks a proud moment for India, reaffirming the nation’s growing role in global space exploration.