Indian Astronaut Shubhanshu Shukla Prepares for Earth Return After Historic ISS Mission

Indian astronaut Shubhanshu Shukla is preparing to return to Earth from the International Space Station on July 14. His mission included conducting vital experiments and engaging with students back home. As the first Indian to visit the ISS, Shukla's journey marks a significant milestone for India's space exploration efforts. Learn more about his experiences and the upcoming splashdown near California.

By Narendra Chaudhary Jul 11, 2025, 11:20 IST

Return Journey of Indian Astronaut

New Delhi: Shubhanshu Shukla, the Indian astronaut currently stationed at the International Space Station (ISS), is set to embark on his return to Earth on July 14, as announced by Axiom Space on Friday.

Shukla will be joined by three fellow crew members—Peggy Whitson, Sławosz Uznański-Wiśniewski, and Tibor Kapu—who will undock from the Harmony module aboard the SpaceX Dragon spacecraft.

According to a post on social media by Axiom Space, the #Ax4 crew is scheduled to undock from the @Space_Station at 7:05 a.m. ET (4:35 p.m. IST) on July 14.

A splashdown is anticipated a few hours post-undocking, off the coast of California in the Pacific Ocean.

Steve Stitch, Manager of NASA's Commercial Crew Program, stated during a press briefing, "We are closely monitoring the Axiom-4 mission's progress. The current target for undocking is July 14."

Group Captain Shukla is on a 14-day mission to the ISS, marking him as the first Indian to visit the station and the second Indian astronaut to travel to space, following Wing Commander Rakesh Sharma's journey in 1984.

During his time in orbit, Shukla conducted seven experiments focused on India, contributing significantly to the Gaganyaan human spaceflight initiative. These experiments included studying muscle loss, developing a brain-computer interface, and growing green gram and fenugreek seeds in microgravity.

He also engaged with students from Kerala and Lucknow through video calls from the ISS, answering their questions about life in space, including topics like astronaut diets, sleeping arrangements, and health concerns.

The students were curious about the advantages of space exploration and what Shukla found most enjoyable about his mission.

Reflecting on the launch of Axiom Mission 4, Shukla described the experience as "amazing" and "dynamic." He added, "It's quite fun because in space, there are no floors or ceilings. If you were to visit the ISS, you might see someone sleeping on the walls or even on the ceiling."