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Indian-Origin Astronaut Shubhanshu Shukla to Return to Earth After Completing 18-Day Historic Mission on the ISS
Indian-origin astronaut Shubhanshu Shukla is set to return to Earth on 15th July 2025 after successfully completing his historic 18-day mission aboard the International Space Station (ISS). This mission was conducted under Axiom-4, an important commercial space mission organized by Axiom Space.
Shubhanshu Shukla’s Historic Space Journey: Returning to Earth After 18 Days
Waving the Indian flag high in space, Indian-origin astronaut Shubhanshu Shukla has successfully completed 18 days aboard the ISS and is now preparing to return to Earth. Under the Axiom-4 mission, Shubhanshu Shukla and his three fellow astronauts will begin their return journey on 14th July 2025. This mission is not just a new chapter in Indian participation in space but is also proving to be historic from scientific and cultural perspectives.
Safe Landing Scheduled for 15th July
According to an official statement by NASA, Shubhanshu Shukla and his team under the Axiom-4 mission are scheduled to safely land on Earth at 3:00 PM IST (Indian Standard Time) on 15th July. The return process will begin on 14th July with the undocking procedure starting at 7:05 AM local time (4:35 PM IST), after which their journey back to Earth will commence.
Dragon Spacecraft Brings Back a Scientific Treasure from Space
The Axiom-4 mission was not just a human mission but held immense significance for space science and research. The Dragon spacecraft, part of Axiom-4, is returning to Earth with approximately 580 pounds (263 kilograms) of valuable scientific materials and equipment.
Among these scientific materials are:
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NASA’s space hardware,
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Data from over 60 scientific experiments,
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Critical equipment related to medical science, biotechnology, and space technology.
These experiments aim to improve healthcare on Earth and develop new technologies for future long-duration space missions.
Members of the Axiom-4 Crew and Their Roles
The mission included four astronauts from diverse and experienced backgrounds:
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Peggy Whitson – Mission Commander, a former veteran astronaut from NASA.
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Shubhanshu Shukla – Pilot and Indian-origin astronaut, who led several technical and scientific experiments.
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Slawosz Uznanski-Wisniewski – Mission Specialist, responsible for scientific research and equipment operations.
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Tibor Kapu – Mission Specialist, who handled experiments related to medicine and biotechnology.
Journey to Space with a Taste of India
This mission was emotionally significant for Indians, as Shubhanshu Shukla carried a glimpse of Indian tradition and culture to space. He brought with him traditional Indian delicacies like “Aam Ras” (mango pulp) and “Gajar ka Halwa” (carrot pudding) to the ISS. According to Shukla, this was the “taste of home” that kept him connected to India even in space.
Shukla also interacted live with young Indians from space, sharing how Indian food remains delicious even in microgravity.
A New Chapter for India: The Second Indian in Space
Shubhanshu Shukla’s mission marks a significant milestone in India’s space history. Prior to this, in 1984, Rakesh Sharma traveled to space under the Soviet Union’s Salyut-7 mission. Now, Shubhanshu Shukla becomes the second Indian citizen to travel to space, and the first to reach the ISS. His journey reflects India’s rising stature and capabilities on the global space platform.
The Journey from Launch to Return
The Axiom-4 mission began on 25th June 2025 when the Dragon spacecraft was successfully launched from the Kennedy Space Center in Florida, USA. After approximately 28 hours of travel, it docked with the ISS on 26th June. Over the course of 18 days, the crew conducted several crucial experiments related to science, healthcare, and technology. Now that these experiments are completed, all four astronauts are on their way back to Earth.
Major Achievements of the Mission
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Shubhanshu Shukla emerged as an inspiration for the young generation of India.
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India’s participation in space science reached new heights.
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New data and experiments will advance future medical and space technology.
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For the first time, Indian culture and cuisine were represented on the International Space Station.
The Axiom-4 mission has written a new chapter for humanity in space, and Shubhanshu Shukla’s journey has proven to be a historic step for Indian science and space exploration.