Shubhanshu Shukla’s Return from ISS Delayed, NASA Waits for Safe Reentry Window

National News: After wrapping up their 14-day scientific mission aboard the International Space Station (ISS), the four-member crew of the Axiom-4 mission will have to extend their stay in space. The European Space Agency (ESA) has announced that mission commander Peggy Whitson, Indian Air Force Group Captain Shubhanshu Shukla, Slavosh Ujnanski-Wisniewski, and Tibor Kapu are now expected to return no earlier than July 14.

Weather & Technical Challenges Disrupt Return Schedule

The Axiom-4 crew arrived at the ISS on June 27, with their return originally scheduled for July 10. However, unfavorable weather conditions over the Atlantic Ocean and the Gulf of Mexico, along with certain technical issues onboard the ISS, have delayed their departure.

The crew will return aboard SpaceX’s Dragon capsule “Grace”, which is designed to perform a soft splashdown either in the Atlantic Ocean or the Gulf of Mexico. However, rough seas, strong winds, or storms in these regions can make splashdown unsafe, forcing a delay. According to ESA and NASA, the mission could be postponed until July 14, depending on environmental conditions.

Air Leak in ISS Module Triggers Safety Concerns

In addition to weather-related delays, a pressure leak was recently identified in the Russian "Zvezda" module aboard the International Space Station (ISS). Although NASA and Roscosmos completed initial repairs, a new leak indicator has since emerged. Further investigation and safety checks are necessary before any crew movement is allowed.

Given that the ISS is a sealed and self-contained environment, safety is the top priority. Whether welcoming new astronauts or returning current crew members, station integrity must be fully ensured.

Reentry: A Technically Demanding Operation

The process of returning from space—known as reentry—is complex and highly sensitive. First, the Dragon capsule must undock from the ISS. It then descends into Earth’s atmosphere, enduring extreme temperatures of several thousand degrees Celsius. The capsule’s heat shield protects it from burning up during this phase.

Once it passes through the atmosphere, parachutes deploy to guide it to a gentle splashdown in the sea. Weather plays a critical role throughout the entire reentry and landing process. High waves, poor visibility, or storm activity can make reentry dangerous, which is why NASA must wait for the precise ‘launch window’.

A launch window refers to the specific time when the orbital paths of the ISS and Dragon capsule are perfectly aligned to enable reentry. If this timing is missed due to technical or weather-related issues, the crew must wait for the next viable window, which could be several hours or even days later.

ISRO Yet to Comment

Despite the growing anticipation in India due to Group Captain Shubhanshu Shukla’s involvement in the mission, the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) has not yet released an official statement regarding the delay. With the entire nation following the mission closely, attention is now firmly on the team’s safe and successful return to Earth.