Axiom-4 Mission Crew Returns to Earth After Historic Space Journey

The Axiom-4 mission team, led by Indian Air Force Captain Shubhanshu Shukla, has begun their return journey to Earth aboard SpaceX's Dragon spacecraft after nearly 20 days in space. The crew undocked from the International Space Station (ISS) and is expected to land in the Pacific Ocean. ISS Commander Takuya Onishi praised the crew's dedication, while Shukla shared an emotional message reflecting India's global standing. Union Minister Dr. Jitendra Singh highlighted the significance of the scientific experiments conducted during the mission, emphasizing their international impact.
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Axiom-4 Mission Crew Returns to Earth After Historic Space Journey

Return Journey Begins for Axiom-4 Crew

After spending nearly 20 days in orbit, the Axiom-4 mission team has boarded SpaceX's Dragon spacecraft, named Grace, to commence their journey back to Earth. Following the closure of the hatch and undocking from the International Space Station (ISS), the crew is now en route home.


The Dragon Grace spacecraft is expected to re-enter Earth's atmosphere and land in the Pacific Ocean, off the coast of California, around 3 PM IST on Tuesday, July 15, completing a journey of approximately 22.5 hours.


ISS Commander Praises Axiom-4 Crew

During a farewell ceremony prior to their departure, ISS Commander Takuya Onishi commended the Axiom-4 crew, stating, "Peggy, Shaks, Suvav, and Tibor – it was a pleasure to spend time with you. Your positive energy, inspiration, and commitment to science set a new standard for private space missions. We hope you have an unforgettable experience."


In response, Commander Peggy Whitson expressed, "We cherished every moment here. It was a remarkable experience working alongside individuals who have become our friends. The collaboration and mutual learning were exceptional."


Emotional Message from Shubhanshu Shukla

On Sunday, Group Captain Shubhanshu Shukla shared an emotional message from the ISS, echoing the famous words of India's first astronaut, Rakesh Sharma, in a contemporary context: "Today's India still shines brightly in the world." The Axiom-4 crew comprises Mission Commander Peggy Whitson, ISRO pilot Shubhanshu Shukla, ESA astronaut Slawosz "Swaw" Uznanski-Wisniewski, and Tibor Kapu from Hungary's HUNOR mission.


Throughout their mission, the crew actively participated in various scientific and social initiatives aboard the ISS. NASA reports that the Grace spacecraft will return with over 263 kg of cargo, including data from scientific experiments and NASA equipment. This space journey commenced on June 25 with the launch of SpaceX's Falcon 9 rocket from the Kennedy Space Center in Florida, and the Grace spacecraft successfully docked with the ISS's Harmony module ahead of schedule on June 26 at 4:05 PM IST.


Union Minister Highlights Scientific Contributions

Union Minister Dr. Jitendra Singh remarked that the scientific experiments conducted by Shukla will have global benefits. He noted, "The undocking is scheduled for around 4:30 PM. Notably, Shubhanshu's experiments, which focus on life sciences and plant research, received support from our Department of Biotechnology and esteemed institutions like IISc Bangalore and IIT."


The Minister further emphasized that the equipment and kits utilized in these experiments are entirely indigenous, developed in India. He stated, "These experiments, which were previously unimaginable, represent a significant initiative by India on a global scale, marking the first time that experiments of Indian origin have been conducted by an Indian for the world."


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