Indian astronaut and IAF Group Captain Shubhanshu Shukla will begin his return journey from the International Space Station (ISS) on July 14, with touchdown scheduled for July 15, according to the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO).
Shukla will travel aboard the SpaceX Crew Dragon spacecraft, along with fellow astronauts Peggy Whitson, Sławosz Uznański-Wiśniewski, and Tibor Kapu.
Crew Dragon to splash down near the California Coast
After undocking from the Harmony module’s space-facing port, the Crew Dragon spacecraft will perform a series of orbital manoeuvres.
It is expected to splash down near the coast of California, USA, on July 15 at 15:00 IST. ISRO confirmed that ‘Gaganyatri Shubhanshu is in good health condition and in high spirits’.
Shubhanshu Shukla: First Indian aboard the ISS
Group Captain Shukla is on a 14-day mission aboard the ISS, marking a historic moment as the first Indian astronaut to visit the space station and only the second Indian to travel to space after Wing Commander Rakesh Sharma’s 1984 mission.
During his mission, Shukla carried out a suite of seven microgravity experiments developed through collaboration between ISRO, the Department of Biotechnology (DBT), and NASA.
These experiments aim to enhance understanding in critical areas such as muscle loss, brain-computer interfacing, and space agriculture.
Four experiments completed, three nearing completion
ISRO announced that Shukla has successfully completed four experiments, including:
- Tardigrades Study: Investigating the survival, reproduction, and transcriptome analysis of Indian tardigrade strains.
- Myogenesis: Examining the effects of space conditions on human muscle cells.
- Seed Sprouting: Growing moong (green gram) and methi (fenugreek) to assess nutritional potential in space.
- Cyanobacteria Growth: Studying two varieties of cyanobacteria for life support system applications.
Three additional experiments, focused on microalgae, crop seeds, and a ‘voyager display’, are nearing completion.
Key contributions to Gaganyaan and future space missions
ISRO emphasised that the scientific work conducted on the ISS contributes significantly to India’s upcoming space initiatives, including the Gaganyaan mission, the Bhartiya Antariksha Station, and planetary exploration missions.
The completed experiments are being prepared for return to Earth for detailed analysis.
NASA highlights final science tasks before departure
In a blog post, NASA reported that the Axe-4 crew, including Shukla, will finalise science tasks on Saturday.
These include an electrical muscle stimulation study, testing thermal comfort suit fabrics during exercise, and recording behavioural studies.
On Sunday, they will begin packing research samples, personal items, and other cargo for return.
Upon return, Shukla and the other astronauts will undergo a seven-day rehabilitation program to readjust to Earth’s gravity under the supervision of flight surgeons.
ISRO confirmed that its medical team is monitoring Shukla’s health through regular private medical and psychological evaluations.
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