After completing weeks of post-mission rehabilitation in the United States, Indian astronaut Shubhanshu Shukla is preparing to return to India, with his arrival expected tomorrow.
Shukla, who became the first Indian to visit the International Space Station (ISS) in June, shared an emotional message on Instagram ahead of his journey.
Reflecting on the past year, he wrote about the mix of emotions he feels leaving behind his colleagues in the US.
“As I sit on the plane to come back to India I have a mix of emotions running through my heart. I feel sad leaving a fantastic group of people behind who were my friends and family for the past one year during this mission,” Shukla stated.
He further added, “I am also excited about meeting all my friends, family and everyone in the country for the first time post mission. I guess this is what life is – everything all at once.”
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Shukla returned from his 18-day ISS mission on 15 July, during which he conducted experiments led by ISRO and participated in various orbital activities.
Since then, he has been undergoing rehabilitation in the US to readjust to life on Earth.
The astronaut expressed his eagerness to share insights from the mission, which could contribute to India’s future space projects, including the Gaganyaan programme, India’s first human spaceflight mission, scheduled for launch by 2027.
“Having received incredible love and support from everyone during and after the mission, I can’t wait to come back to India to share my experiences with all of you,” Shukla asserted.
Farewells and Reflections
Looking back at his colleagues, he acknowledged that farewells are difficult but necessary.
He also quoted his mission commander, NASA astronaut Peggy Whitson: “The only constant in spaceflight is change,” a sentiment Shukla said applies to life on Earth as well.
The astronaut concluded with a line from the Bollywood film ‘Swades’.
“At the end of the day Yun hi chala chal rahi – jeevan gaadi hai samay pahiya (loosely translated as just keep walking, traveller – life is a carriage, time is the wheel),” he noted.
Shukla’s family expressed their excitement at his imminent return.
“I am very excited. My son has successfully completed his mission and has come back. We are very excited that my son is coming back. We are trying to meet him as soon as possible. He is coming the day after tomorrow, and we will meet him in Delhi,” said his father, Shambhu Dayal Shukla.
Union Minister Jitendra Singh confirmed that the IAF Group Captain will meet Prime Minister Narendra Modi in Delhi before travelling to his hometown of Lucknow to reunite with his family.
Prime Minister Modi earlier praised Shukla’s achievement, stating that the mission has inspired millions and marks a significant step forward in India’s space ambitions.
In his Independence Day address, PM Modi stated, “IAF Group Captain Shubhanshu Shukla is back from the International Space Station (ISS). Soon he will return to India. We are working on becoming self-reliant in the space sector, preparing for the launch of Gaganyaan, which is India’s flagship human spaceflight programme. We will make our own space station.”
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