Shubhanshu Shukla and crew’s return journey set for July 14; farewell ceremony today

Indian astronaut Shubhanshu Shukla, part of the Axiom Mission 4, is scheduled to return to Earth from the International Space Station (ISS) on July 14, marking the end of a historic journey. He became the second Indian to travel to space and the first to enter the ISS as part of a commercial mission.

The SpaceX Dragon spacecraft, which carried the crew to the ISS, will bring back over 580 pounds of cargo, including scientific data and NASA hardware from more than 60 experiments conducted during the mission.

Shukla and his crewmates—Peggy Whitson (US), Slawosz Uznanski-Wisniewski (Poland), and Tibor Kapu (Hungary)—are expected to board the spacecraft at 2:25 PM IST on July 14, following a final round of onboard tests.

Once back on Earth, Shukla will enter a seven-day rehabilitation program under medical supervision to readjust to Earth’s gravity. “Post splashdown, the Gaganyatri will undergo rehab under the guidance of a Flight Surgeon,” ISRO confirmed.

Shukla’s family, overwhelmed with pride, is eagerly awaiting his return. His father, Shambhu Dayal Shukla, told PTI, “He showed us everything—from his lab to his sleeping area. We’re so proud of his journey.”

The Axiom-4 mission launched aboard a SpaceX Falcon 9 from NASA’s Kennedy Space Center on June 26, 2025. During their stay, the crew contributed to vital research, including microalgae centrifugation and preservation experiments.

Shukla’s return marks another milestone in India’s growing presence in space exploration.