Indian astronaut Shubhanshu Shukla with his team returned safely to Earth today (July 15) after an 18-day mission to the International Space Station (ISS). Shukla, with three other astronauts on the Axiom-4 mission, made a splashdown in San Diego, California, at 3 pm. He returned on the Dragon ‘Grace’. Shortly after the splashdown of SpaceX Dragon spacecraft in the Pacific Ocean, Prime Minister Narendra Modi welcomed Shukla. In a post on X, “I join the nation in welcoming Group Captain Shubhanshu Shukla as he returns to Earth from his historic mission to Space. As India’s first astronaut to have visited International Space Station, he has inspired a billion dreams through his dedication, courage and pioneering spirit.”
He was joined by US astronaut Peggy Whitson, Poland’s Sławosz Uznański-Wiśniewski, and Hungary’s Tibor Kapu. The team departed the space station at 4:45 PM (IST) on Monday and returned to Earth after a 22.5-hour journey.
According to various reports, the Axiom-4 crew will undergo a series of medical checks on board the ship before boarding a helicopter for a ride back to the shore. The four astronauts will be spending seven days in rehabilitation before they adjust back to life on Earth under the influence of gravity, unlike the weightlessness experienced in orbit.
PM Modi Welcomes Group Captain Shubhanshu Shukla
PM Narendra Modi welcomed Group Captain Shubhanshu Shukla, and wrote, “I join the nation in welcoming Group Captain Shubhanshu Shukla as he returns to Earth from his historic mission to Space. As India’s first astronaut to have visited International Space Station, he has inspired a billion dreams through his dedication, courage and pioneering spirit. It marks another milestone towards our own Human Space Flight Mission – Gaganyaan.”
First Indian To Go To Space In 40 Years
Shubhanshu Shukla is the first Indian to travel to space in 40 years, following Wing Commander Rakesh Sharma. He has also made history by becoming the first Indian to visit and work at the International Space Station. The Axiom-4 mission marks a significant milestone for India, symbolising the country’s return to active space participation after a gap of four decades.
