Shukla's Stellar Voyage: Axiom-4 Returns Home

Astronaut Shubhanshu Shukla, alongside three crewmates from the Axiom-4 mission, is set to return to Earth on Monday after an 18-day adventure aboard the International Space Station (ISS). Marking India’s first space mission in over four decades, Shukla, the second Indian to venture into space after Rakesh Sharma’s 1984 journey, will board the Dragon spacecraft at 2:00 pm IST, with undocking scheduled for 4:35 pm IST.

The crew, including commander Peggy Whitson, Poland’s Slawosz Uznanski-Wisniewski, and Hungary’s Tibor Kapu, will embark on a 22.5-hour journey, culminating in a splashdown off California’s coast at approximately 3:01 pm IST on Tuesday. “The descent is fully autonomous, with the spacecraft enduring temperatures up to 1,600°C during re-entry,” Axiom Space noted. Parachutes will deploy in stages—stabilizing at 5.7 km, followed by main chutes at 2 km—ensuring a safe landing.

On Sunday, the ISS Expedition 73 crew hosted a heartfelt farewell for the Axiom-4 team. Shukla, reflecting on his journey, said, “Jaldi hi dharti pe mulaqat karte hai (we’ll meet on Earth soon).” He shared his awe of India from space: “Today’s India looks ambitious, fearless, confident, and proud—truly ‘saare jahan se accha’.” The ceremony was emotional, with the crew exchanging hugs and words of camaraderie with their Expedition 73 colleagues.

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Shukla’s mission, a milestone for India, Poland, and Hungary, saw the astronauts forge bonds with the ISS team. “I never imagined this experience when we launched on Falcon-9 on June 25,” Shukla said. “The people here made it unforgettable.” Post-splashdown, the crew will undergo a week of rehabilitation to readjust to Earth’s gravity after experiencing weightlessness.

Costing ISRO approximately Rs 550 crore, Shukla’s trip to the ISS is a vital step for India’s Gaganyaan program, slated for 2027. His journey not only cements India’s growing presence in space but also inspires a new generation of explorers.

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