Indian Astronaut Shubhanshu Shukla Completes 18-Day ISS Mission, Marking Major Milestone for India

Indian astronaut Group Captain Shubhanshu Shukla and his Axiom-4 team returned to Earth safely on Tuesday. Their SpaceX Dragon spacecraft made a successful splashdown in the Pacific Ocean near San Diego at 3:02 p.m. IST, concluding a 22.5-hour journey after detaching from the International Space Station (ISS) on July 14.

Shukla, serving as the mission pilot, became the first Indian astronaut in space since Wing Commander Rakesh Sharma's 1984 mission. The Axiom-4 (Ax-4) crew also included Commander Peggy Whitson from the United States, and mission specialists Sławosz Uznański-Wiśniewski from Poland and Tibor Kapu from Hungary.

The crew spent 18 days on the ISS, engaging in a series of scientific research activities. The Ax-4 mission hosted about 60 experiments from 31 different countries, covering topics such as space medicine, agricultural studies, and human physiology in microgravity environments.

During his time on the ISS, Shukla completed seven experiments for the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO). These experiments included studies on skeletal muscle degradation, the growth of methi and moong seeds in space, Indian strains of tardigrades, cyanobacteria, microalgae, and crop seeds, as well as testing a Voyager Display in zero-gravity conditions.

After landing, the Dragon capsule was retrieved by the SpaceX vessel Shannon. The astronauts underwent preliminary medical examinations aboard the vessel before being airlifted to the shore. They will proceed to Houston for mission debriefings and to reunite with their respective teams.

ISRO announced that Group Captain Shukla will undergo a seven-day rehabilitation program to adjust back to Earth's gravity, following standard procedure for astronauts returning from extended space missions.

The Axiom-4 mission is seen as a significant advancement for India's human spaceflight goals. The joint efforts of ISRO, NASA, and Axiom Space are anticipated to enhance preparations for India's upcoming Gaganyaan mission. Shukla's successful journey has revitalized interest in space exploration in India, marking a notable achievement in the country's scientific endeavors.