California, July 15: Indian astronaut Group Captain Shumbhashu Shukla has successfully returned to Earth, marking the end of his historic journey aboard the Axiom-4 mission. After spending 18 days aboard the International Space Station (ISS), Shukla and his three crewmates landed safely off the coast of California.
The spacecraft completed a nearly 23-hour return journey, touching down in the Pacific Ocean at 3 PM local time. The astronauts had departed the ISS a day earlier at 4:45 PM and are now under medical observation, as per standard post-mission protocols.
Joining Shukla on the return flight were Commander Peggy Whitson, Poland’s mission specialist Slawosz Uznanski-Wisniewski, and Hungary’s Tibor Kapu. The team had launched from NASA’s Kennedy Space Center on June 25 aboard SpaceX’s Falcon 9 rocket and docked with the ISS on June 26 at 4:01 PM IST.
The mission, conducted under Axiom Space’s AX-4 program, marks a significant milestone for India’s growing presence in human spaceflight.
PM Modi Welcomes Shukla’s Return
Prime Minister Narendra Modi welcomed Shumbhashu Shukla’s return with a message on social media. “On behalf of the nation, I welcome Group Captain Shumbhashu Shukla back to Earth after his historic space journey. His dedication and courage have inspired billions. This is another major step toward our own human spaceflight mission — Gaganyaan.”
A Proud Moment for India
Shukla’s journey is being celebrated as a symbol of India’s space ambitions, showcasing the country’s rising contribution to global space exploration. His safe return marks yet another step toward India’s Gaganyaan mission, aimed at sending Indian astronauts into orbit aboard an indigenous spacecraft.
Bhupendra Singh Chundawat is a seasoned technology journalist with over 22 years of experience in the media industry. He specializes in covering the global technology landscape, with a deep focus on manufacturing trends and the geopolitical impact on tech companies. Currently serving as the Editor at Udaipur Kiran, his insights are shaped by decades of hands-on reporting and editorial leadership in the fast-evolving world of technology.