Indian Astronaut Shubhanshu Shukla Returns to Earth

  • 16 Jul 2025

On 15th July 2025, Indian astronaut Group Captain Shubhanshu Shukla and three other crew members of the Axiom-4 mission safely returned to Earth after an 18-day stay aboard the International Space Station (ISS).

Key Points

  • Historic Return: Group Captain Shukla became the first Indian to visit the ISS and the second Indian in space after Rakesh Sharma in 1984.
  • Mission Timeline: The Axiom-4 mission began on 25th June 2025 with the Falcon-9 rocket launching the Dragon capsule from Florida.
  • Scientific Contributions: During the mission, Shukla conducted seven India-specific microgravity experiments for future planetary exploration and long-term space habitation.
  • Recovery and Rehab: The astronauts will now undergo a 7-day rehabilitation program to readjust to Earth’s gravity.