IAF’s Shubhanshu Shukla Returns After 18-Day ISS Space Mission

The home of Group Captain Shubhanshu Shukla in Lucknow erupted in joy, pride, and patriotic fervor today as the Indian Air Force officer returned to Earth after an 18-day mission aboard the International Space Station (ISS). The 39-year-old test pilot made history as part of Axiom Space’s landmark Axiom-4 (Ax-4) mission — becoming the first Indian astronaut in over four decades to visit the orbiting laboratory.

Shukla’s spacecraft, the SpaceX Dragon capsule Grace, safely splashed down in the Pacific Ocean off the coast of California at 3:00 PM IST on Tuesday. The successful return capped off a mission that not only showcased India’s rising presence in commercial space exploration but also stirred the hearts of millions back home.

At the Shukla residence in Lucknow, emotions ran high as the family, friends, and neighbours watched the live broadcast of the re-entry and landing. Tears welled in the eyes of his parents as they saw their son — once a boy with dreams of flight — now a spacefarer returning from the final frontier.

“Excitement is endless. We are very proud,” said Asha Shukla, the astronaut’s mother, her voice choked with emotion. “I’m feeling very happy that my child is finally back after so many days. He told me yesterday it would be his last call from space and that he was packing to leave. I just kept praying for his safe return.”

His father, a retired Indian Army officer, stood beside her with pride etched across his face. “This is not just our personal joy; this is a moment of national pride. Shubhanshu has represented India with honour on a global stage.”

The front yard of the Shukla home turned into a spontaneous celebration. Neighbours arrived with boxes of sweets, waving the Indian tricolour. Patriotic slogans of “Vande Mataram” and “Bharat Mata Ki Jai” rang through the air as children danced to national songs. A cake-cutting ceremony was held to mark the safe return of the country’s new space hero.

Group Captain Shukla’s journey began on June 26, when he launched aboard a SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket from NASA’s Kennedy Space Center in Florida. Joining him on the Axiom-4 mission were veteran American astronaut Peggy Whitson, Slawosz Uznanski-Wisniewski of Poland, and Tibor Kapu of Hungary. The international crew conducted a range of scientific experiments and educational outreach activities during their time aboard the ISS.

#WATCH | Axiom-4 Mission | Lucknow, UP: Group Captain Shubhanshu Shukla's family rejoices and celebrates as he and the entire crew return to the earth after an 18-day stay aboard the International Space Station (ISS) pic.twitter.com/S8TuJk95D7

— ANI (@ANI) July 15, 2025

Although the mission was originally slated for 14 days, it was extended by four additional days to accommodate more research tasks and interactions. On July 14, the crew boarded Grace and undocked from the Harmony module of the ISS, marking the start of their 23-hour return journey.

Before his departure, Shukla shared a heartfelt message from space that touched the soul of every Indian: “India still looks better than the whole world.”

The Ax-4 mission, a collaboration between NASA, ISRO, and private space operator Axiom Space, marks a significant milestone in India’s foray into human spaceflight. While ISRO prepares for its ambitious Gaganyaan mission, Shukla’s successful flight serves as a precursor to more such journeys and strengthens India’s credentials in the evolving landscape of commercial space exploration.

With his safe return, Shukla now enters a week-long rehabilitation phase to help his body readjust to Earth’s gravity. His experiences and insights will prove invaluable to India’s astronaut corps and will likely inspire a new generation of space dreamers across the country.

ALSO READ: Shubhanshu Shukla to Return to Earth Today After Historic 14-Day Mission