First Indian Astronaut to ISS Begins Journey Back to Earth
Conclusion
Group Captain Shubhanshu Shukla, the first Indian astronaut to ISS, has begun his return journey after a groundbreaking mission aboard the International Space Station (ISS). His spaceflight marks a monumental moment in India’s space history and sets the tone for future Indian missions beyond Earth.
Who is Shubhanshu Shukla?
Born in Lucknow on 10 October 1985, Group Captain Shukla is a decorated Indian Air Force officer with over 2,000 hours of flying experience on fighter jets like MiGs, Sukhois, Dorniers, Jaguars, and Hawks. His participation in the Axiom-4 (Ax-4) mission makes him only the second Indian to go to space after Rakesh Sharma in 1984.
About the Axiom-4 Mission
The Ax-4 mission, a commercial collaboration between Axiom Space, NASA, ISRO, ESA, and SpaceX, launched on 26 June 2025. Alongside Shukla, the crew included Peggy Whitson, Slawosz Uznanski-Wisniewski (Poland), and Tibor Kapu (Hungary).
The mission stayed on the ISS longer than its initial two-week plan, completing 60 scientific experiments, including seven contributed by ISRO. These results will support India’s ambitious human spaceflight program, including Gaganyaan, scheduled for launch in 2027.
Farewell Message from Space
In his heartfelt farewell message, Shukla said:
“From space, today’s India looks ambitious, fearless, confident, and proud.”
Quoting the iconic Rakesh Sharma line from the Urdu song “Saare Jahan Se Achha”, Shukla echoed that even from orbit, India still looks better than the rest of the world.
Return to Earth
On Monday, the Ax-4 spacecraft undocked from the ISS in a live broadcast. The capsule is expected to splash down off the California coast around 15:00 IST (09:30 GMT) on 15 July, with retrieval support from a recovery ship.
You can follow the live updates and reentry schedule on the official Axiom Space page. (Dofollow link)
ISRO’s Future Plans
ISRO has invested ₹500 crore (about $59 million) to train and send Shukla to the ISS. His experience is expected to directly benefit India’s Gaganyaan mission, along with plans to launch a space station by 2035 and send an astronaut to the Moon by 2040.
He is one of the four Indian Air Force officers shortlisted for Gaganyaan, making him a key figure in India’s space ambitions.
For more updates on ISRO’s future missions,
Conclusion
Group Captain Shubhanshu Shukla’s journey as the first Indian astronaut to ISS is a defining moment in India’s space journey. From carrying the dreams of a billion Indians to inspiring the next generation of scientists and explorers, Shukla has paved the way for a new era of Indian spaceflight.
Stay connected with TimesNXT for more updates on India’s space exploration milestones.