Indian Astronaut Shubhanshu Shukla To Begin Return From ISS On July 14, Confirms Axiom Space

Indian Air Force Group Captain Shubhanshu Shukla, who made history as the first Indian to visit the International Space Station (ISS), will begin his journey back to Earth on 14 July, Axiom Space confirmed on Friday.

Shukla, who is part of the Axiom Mission 4 (Ax-4), will undock from the ISS aboard the SpaceX Dragon spacecraft alongside crew members Peggy Whitson, Sławosz Uznański-Wiśniewski, and Tibor Kapu.

The spacecraft will detach from the Harmony module’s space-facing port at 7:05 AM ET (4:35 PM IST), and it will splash down a few hours later in the Pacific Ocean off the California coast.

“We are working with the station programme, watching the Axiom-4 progress carefully,” said Steve Stitch, Manager of NASA’s Commercial Crew Program. “The current target to undock is July 14,” he added at a recent press briefing.

A pioneering space journey

Shukla’s mission marked a significant milestone in Indian space history. He is the second Indian astronaut to travel into space—following Wing Commander Rakesh Sharma in 1984—and the first Indian to board the ISS.

The 14-day mission represents a crucial step in advancing India’s upcoming Gaganyaan human space flight programme.

During his time on the ISS, Shukla conducted seven India-specific scientific experiments, including investigations into muscle loss in microgravity, the development of a brain-computer interface, and the germination of green gram and fenugreek seeds in space.

Inspiring the next generation

In a heartening outreach effort, Shukla interacted with school students from Kerala and Lucknow via video conferencing from orbit.

During the 10-minute session, enthusiastic students asked questions ranging from astronauts’ diets to sleeping arrangements and medical emergencies in space.

Shukla described the launch experience as ‘amazing’ and ‘dynamic’, and spoke about the unique experience of microgravity living.

“It is fun actually, because in space there is no floor and no ceiling. If you were to visit the station, you would find someone sleeping on the walls, someone on the ceiling,” he told the students, inspiring curiosity and excitement.

As Shukla prepares for re-entry, his successful mission stands as a testament to India’s growing capabilities in space exploration.

The knowledge and experience gained will directly contribute to ISRO’s Gaganyaan mission and broader international collaborations.

Shubhanshu Shukla’s return on July 14 will not only mark the completion of a path-breaking mission but also reinforce India’s emergence as a significant player in global space research and human spaceflight.

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