Shubhanshu Shukla, who etched his name in history as the first Indian to ever visit the International Space Station (ISS), is now on his return journey to Earth.
A live stream on Monday showed the Axiom-4 (Ax-4) mission capsule detaching from the ISS with all four crew members on board. The spacecraft is expected to land in the ocean within the next 24 hours.
Commanded by seasoned spaceflight expert Peggy Whitson, the Ax-4 mission launched to the ISS on 26 June. On board were pilot Group Captain Shukla, Polish astronaut Slawosz Uznanski-Wisniewski, and Hungarian astronaut Tibor Kapu.
Group Captain Shukla is only the second Indian ever to journey into space. His historic trip follows that of Rakesh Sharma, who traveled aboard a Soviet Soyuz spacecraft in 1984 more than four decades ago.
Operated by Axiom Space, the Ax-4 mission represents a public-private collaboration involving the United States, India, Europe, and a private launch provider.
A post on X from the ISS account confirmed that all crew members had taken their places inside the capsule and that the spacecraft’s hatches had been sealed before undocking.
The return capsule is expected to make a controlled splashdown in the Pacific Ocean near California, where a recovery ship will be stationed to collect the crew.
India’s Minister for Science and Technology, Jitendra Singh, has announced that the landing is scheduled for 15 July at around 15:00 IST (09:30 GMT).
In an emotional message broadcast from space the day before undocking, Group Captain Shukla reflected on India’s entry into the field of human spaceflight.
“It has been an incredible journey. Even though now it is coming to an end, for you and me there is a long way to go. The journey of our human space mission is very long and difficult. But if we are determined, even the stars are attainable.”
He recalled how India’s first space traveler, Rakesh Sharma, famously quoted the 1924 patriotic Urdu song Sare Jahan Se Achha when asked how India appeared from space.
“Even today we want to know how it looks from space. I’ll tell you. From space, today’s India looks ambitious. It looks fearless. It looks confident. It looks proud. And so, I can once again say that today’s India still looks better than the rest of the world,” Group Captain Shukla said.
Originally intended as a two-week mission aboard the ISS, Ax-4 extended its stay by a few days. During their time in orbit, the team completed 60 scientific experiments, seven of which were developed by India’s space agency.
The agency had invested 5 billion rupees (approximately $59 million) for Group Captain Shukla’s seat on Ax-4, including his training and travel. Officials have noted that the knowledge and skills he has gained will be crucial for India’s future space efforts.
India has set bold targets for the coming decades, its first human spaceflight, Gaganyaan, is set for launch in 2027. Long-term plans include establishing a space station by 2035 and sending an astronaut to the Moon by 2040.
Group Captain Shukla is one of four Indian Air Force officers who were shortlisted to participate in the Gaganyaan program.
Born in Lucknow on 10 October 1985, Shukla joined the Indian Air Force in 2006 as a fighter pilot.
Over his career, he has flown a variety of aircraft including MiGs, Sukhois, Dorniers, Jaguars, and Hawks, logging more than 2,000 hours of flight time.
Reflecting on his preparation for space, he described the past year as transformative.
“It has been an amazing journey so far, but the best is yet to come,” he said. “As I go into space, I carry not just instruments and equipment, I carry hopes and dreams of a billion hearts. I request all Indians to pray for the success of our mission,” he had said.
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