Group Captain Shubhanshu Shukla, the pride of India, is all set to return to Earth after a memorable and historic journey in space. Shukla, who became the second Indian to travel to space and the first to enter the International Space Station (ISS), is concluding his 18-day mission as part of the Axiom-4 (Ax-4) mission, also known as Mission Akash Ganga.

Shukla and his three international colleagues, including the American commander Peggy Whitson, have spent close to three weeks aboard the ISS. During this period, they completed over 60 advanced scientific experiments, covering areas like biology, artificial intelligence, materials science, and human health. Among his notable contributions was the Sprouts Project, which studied how seeds germinate and grow in microgravity. The findings from this experiment will help scientists understand how plants can be cultivated in space, which is crucial for future long-duration missions.

The return journey will begin with the undocking of SpaceX’s Dragon spacecraft from the ISS. The undocking is scheduled for July 14 at 4:30 pm IST, with splashdown expected off the coast of California on July 15 at around 3:00 pm IST. The astronauts will have a 21-hour-long journey back to Earth. The Dragon capsule will also bring back more than 580 pounds of cargo, including NASA hardware and data from the experiments conducted during the mission.

Shukla’s mission is a significant milestone for India’s space ambitions. It marks a new chapter in the country’s human spaceflight programme, Gaganyaan, which aims to send more Indians into space and eventually to the Moon by 2040. The Government of India has allocated nearly ₹33,000 crore for the Gaganyaan programme, showing the nation’s commitment to becoming a major player in global space exploration.

During his time in space, Shukla not only worked on scientific research but also connected emotionally with the people of India. He shared his experiences, spoke to schoolchildren, and even had a heartfelt conversation with Prime Minister Narendra Modi, where he talked about his love for Indian food, including ‘gajar ka halwa’. In his final message from the ISS, Shukla paid tribute to a confident and fearless India, echoing the legendary words of Rakesh Sharma, the first Indian in space.

Upon his return, Shukla will undergo a week-long rehabilitation programme to help his body readjust to Earth’s gravity. His family, along with the entire nation, is waiting eagerly to welcome him back. His father expressed great pride and happiness, sharing that the family was able to see where Shukla worked, slept, and conducted his daily routine in space.

As Shubhanshu Shukla prepares to come home, his mission stands as a beacon of hope and inspiration for millions of Indians. His achievements have brought India closer to the stars and have set the stage for even greater accomplishments in the years to come.

Family Prepares Homecoming

In Lucknow, anticipation is high. Shukla’s mother, Asha Shukla, told ANI, “We pray to God that he completes his mission successfully and comes back to Earth as soon as possible and meets us… We will give him a grand welcome.” His father, Shambhu Dayal Shukla, confirmed the flight timeline, saying, “We were waiting for this, so we are happy that he is coming back. We pray to God that he comes back safely.” Asha added that she is preparing all his favourite dishes: “He told us that this time, after coming back, he wants to eat everything he hasn’t had in the past five-six years due to being abroad.” Before launch, Shukla had packed mango nectar, carrot halwa, and moong dal halwa for his time in space, saying, “There will be plenty of food to eat in space, but I will be carrying mango nectar, carrot halwa, and moong dal halwa with me.”

Axiom-4’s Success

Launched on June 25 from NASA’s Kennedy Space Center aboard a Falcon-9 rocket, Axiom-4 docked with the ISS on June 26. Over 18 days, the team carried out more than 60 experiments, including studies on human health, space agriculture, mental well-being, and space suit materials. The mission will return with over 580 pounds of cargo, including scientific equipment and research samples.

Shukla focused on testing glucose monitors in microgravity, contributing to efforts aimed at enabling diabetic individuals to participate in future space missions. In his final remarks from space, Shukla said, “I carry with me a lot of memories and learnings. But what stays with me most is what humanity can achieve when we all come together for a common goal.” He also thanked ISRO, NASA, SpaceX, and Axiom Space, and acknowledged the contributions of Indian students and researchers to the mission’s outreach goals.

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