The SpaceX Dragon spacecraft carrying Indian astronaut Shubhanshu Shukla and three other Axiom-4 crew members safely splashed down off the coast of San Diego, California, today at 3 PM.
The spacecraft had undocked from the Harmony module of the International Space Station (ISS) at 7:05 AM EDT (4:35 PM IST) on July 14.
During his stay aboard the ISS, Shukla conducted key experiments on space microalgae to explore their potential in producing food, oxygen, and biofuels—vital for long-duration missions.
Shubhanshu Shukla’s Space Mission, Explained
During his time aboard the ISS, Shubhanshu Shukla conducted a key experiment on space microalgae to explore their potential in generating food, oxygen, and biofuels—essential resources for sustaining human life on long-duration space missions.
He focused on centrifuging two strains of cyanobacteria, comparing their growth, cellular behaviour, and biochemical responses in microgravity to better understand how these photosynthetic microorganisms adapt to space conditions.
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Mission Background:
Group Captain Shubhanshu Shukla of the Indian Air Force became the first ISRO-affiliated astronaut to reach the International Space Station (ISS), as part of Axiom Mission 4 (Ax-4), a privately organised human spaceflight carried out by Axiom Space in collaboration with SpaceX and NASA.
The mission launched on 25 June 2025 from NASA’s Kennedy Space Centre in Florida aboard a SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket. The Crew Dragon capsule Grace, carrying the four-member international team, docked with the ISS on June 26.
Shukla, who served as the mission’s pilot, was accompanied by Commander Peggy Whitson (USA, former NASA astronaut) and Mission Specialists Sławosz Uznański-Wiśniewski (Poland, ESA) and Tibor Kapu (Hungary). The flight marked the return of Polish and Hungarian astronauts to space after more than four decades, making it a landmark mission for all three nations involved.
During their 18-day stay aboard the ISS, the crew carried out over 60 microgravity experiments. These ranged from advanced biology and bone health research to diabetes studies and technological demonstrations. The experiments drew scientific input from more than 30 countries, contributing to global space science and medicine.
Shukla’s presence aboard the ISS was not only a milestone for Indian human spaceflight but also a significant step forward for India’s upcoming Gaganyaan mission. His operational experience, combined with international collaboration, is expected to support ISRO’s astronaut training and programme planning in the years ahead.
The Axiom Mission 4 marked several historic firsts, including Shukla becoming the first Indian to reach the ISS and the first Indian astronaut in orbit since Wing Commander Rakesh Sharma flew in 1984 aboard a Soviet Soyuz mission. The success of Ax-4 also strengthens India’s reputation in international space collaboration and boosts its ambitions in low-Earth orbit exploration.
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