Many pictures of Shubhanshu Shukla surfaced before his return from space (Social Media)
National News: Indian astronaut Shubhanshu Shukla has successfully completed his 18-day space mission and returned safely to Earth. He landed along with three fellow astronauts from the United States, Poland, and Hungary in SpaceX's Dragon capsule, which splashed down in the Pacific Ocean off the coast of California at 3:00 PM IST following a 23-hour return journey.
Shubhanshu and his international crew members began their space journey on June 25, launching from Kennedy Space Center in Florida aboard a Falcon 9 rocket. After a flight of approximately 28 hours, they docked at the International Space Station (ISS), where they conducted a wide range of scientific experiments over 18 days.
The mission, dubbed Axiom-4, was a joint collaboration between NASA and private aerospace company SpaceX. It marked a significant milestone as astronauts from India, the U.S., Poland, and Hungary jointly participated in a commercial low-Earth orbit mission.
The crew departed the ISS at 4:45 PM IST on July 14, and the Dragon capsule completed its splashdown in the Pacific Ocean at 3:00 PM on July 15. SpaceX's recovery team promptly retrieved the astronauts and ensured their safe transfer for medical checks and debriefing.
SpaceX provided live updates of the mission and confirmed the capsule's successful re-entry into Earth's atmosphere, followed by a precise splashdown near the San Diego coast under favorable weather conditions. During the mission, the astronauts conducted over 60 scientific experiments and 20+ outreach programs.
With this mission, Shubhanshu Shukla has become only the second Indian to travel to space, after Rakesh Sharma’s landmark voyage in 1984. His presence aboard the ISS not only elevated India’s status in the global space arena but also paved the way for future Indian commercial space missions.
This mission is viewed as a key stepping stone toward India’s manned space mission planned for 2027, potentially accelerating the country's ambitions to establish its own space station in the near future.
Group Captain Shubhanshu Shukla, a former Squadron Commander in the Indian Air Force, holds more than 2,000 hours of flight experience. During the mission, he was actively involved in more than 60 scientific experiments, including seven designed by Indian research institutes.
One notable achievement was his successful effort to grow fenugreek and moong seeds in microgravity, an experiment that received considerable public interest when images from space were shared.
Before his return, Shukla’s parents expressed hope and prayers for his safe landing. His father remarked, “We are very happy to hear that the undocking went smoothly. We believe the landing will be equally safe. We have full faith in God.”
Shubhanshu Shukla’s safe return is more than the conclusion of a successful mission—it is a symbol of India’s growing prowess in space exploration. His contribution and experiences are expected to enrich India’s space research landscape and inspire future generations to aim for the stars.
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