Group Captain Shubhanshu Shukla Enjoys Farewell Meal on Axiom-4 Mission
A Memorable Meal in Space
Group Captain Shubhanshu Shukla, currently aboard the International Space Station (ISS) as part of the Axiom-4 mission, recently shared a delightful meal with his fellow astronauts just days before his scheduled return to Earth on July 14. Astronaut Jonny Kim, who is also on the ISS, posted joyful images capturing the moment, showcasing Shukla laughing and enjoying his meal in microgravity, alongside other crew members floating in zero gravity.
One of the most unforgettable evenings I’ve experienced on this mission was sharing a meal with new friends, Ax-4, aboard the International @Space_Station.
— Jonny Kim (@JonnyKimUSA) July 10, 2025
We swapped stories and marveled at how people from diverse backgrounds and nations came together to represent humanity in… pic.twitter.com/hdzXxrwLaV
NASA confirmed on Thursday that Shubhanshu Shukla and his three Axiom-4 mission colleagues will return to Earth on July 14.
The mission commenced on June 25 from NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Florida, with the Dragon spacecraft successfully docking at the ISS on June 26 after approximately 28 hours of travel.
During their time on the ISS, Shukla and his team orbited the Earth around 230 times, witnessing an equal number of sunrises. Over the course of their two-week journey, they traveled nearly ten million kilometers.
The 'high beta period' occurs when the space station's orbit is angled at 70 degrees or more relative to the Sun, resulting in continuous sunlight exposure. This condition can lead to extreme heat, necessitating precise temperature regulation by NASA.