Astronaut Shubhanshu Shukla, the trailblazing Indian who became the first person from India to visit the International Space Station (ISS), is currently making his way back to Earth. The live broadcast captured the Axiom-4 (Ax-4) mission's departure from the ISS, with its four-member crew undocking on Monday. The team, which includes former NASA veteran Peggy Whitson and pilots Shukla, is expected to splash down within the next 24 hours.
Shukla's journey marks a monumental achievement for India, coming 41 years after Rakesh Sharma became the first Indian to travel to space in 1984. The Ax-4 mission, a commercial venture orchestrated by Axiom Space, involves collaborations between NASA, India's Indian Space Research Organization (ISRO), the European Space Agency, and SpaceX.
In the live updates shared by Axiom Space, visuals showed the astronaut crew enjoying meals while in orbit. Monday's posts on social media confirmed that Ax-4's crew had settled into the spacecraft prior to its undocking from the ISS, with the capsule expected to touch down in the ocean off California's coast. According to Indian Science Minister Jitendra Singh, the expected splashdown is scheduled for July 15 at approximately 15:00 IST (09:30 GMT).
During his farewell message from the ISS on Sunday, Shukla reflected on the challenges of India's journey in space exploration, stating, "Even though now it is coming to an end, for you and me there is a long way to go." He emphasized the growing ambition and confidence within India, likening the current era to the time of Rakesh Sharma's journey. "Today's India looks ambitious, fearless, and confident," Shukla declared.
Initially set for a two-week stay aboard the ISS, the Ax-4 mission extended slightly, during which the crew completed a remarkable 60 scientific experiments, including seven devised by ISRO. The agency had invested 5 billion rupees ($59 million) for Shukla’s seat and training, with hopes that his experience will bolster future human spaceflight missions.
ISRO has ambitious plans to launch its first crewed mission, Gaganyaan, in 2027, alongside aspirations for establishing a space station by 2035 and a lunar mission by 2040. Shukla was among four Indian Air Force officers selected last year to participate in the Gaganyaan mission.
Hailing from Lucknow and born on October 10, 1985, Shukla joined the Air Force as a fighter pilot, amassing over 2,000 flight hours across various aircraft. Leading into his spaceflight, he described the preceding year as "transformative," expressing hope as he embarked on this historic mission for India. "I carry the hopes and dreams of a billion hearts," he urged his fellow citizens to lend their support for the mission's success.
Shukla's journey marks a monumental achievement for India, coming 41 years after Rakesh Sharma became the first Indian to travel to space in 1984. The Ax-4 mission, a commercial venture orchestrated by Axiom Space, involves collaborations between NASA, India's Indian Space Research Organization (ISRO), the European Space Agency, and SpaceX.
In the live updates shared by Axiom Space, visuals showed the astronaut crew enjoying meals while in orbit. Monday's posts on social media confirmed that Ax-4's crew had settled into the spacecraft prior to its undocking from the ISS, with the capsule expected to touch down in the ocean off California's coast. According to Indian Science Minister Jitendra Singh, the expected splashdown is scheduled for July 15 at approximately 15:00 IST (09:30 GMT).
During his farewell message from the ISS on Sunday, Shukla reflected on the challenges of India's journey in space exploration, stating, "Even though now it is coming to an end, for you and me there is a long way to go." He emphasized the growing ambition and confidence within India, likening the current era to the time of Rakesh Sharma's journey. "Today's India looks ambitious, fearless, and confident," Shukla declared.
Initially set for a two-week stay aboard the ISS, the Ax-4 mission extended slightly, during which the crew completed a remarkable 60 scientific experiments, including seven devised by ISRO. The agency had invested 5 billion rupees ($59 million) for Shukla’s seat and training, with hopes that his experience will bolster future human spaceflight missions.
ISRO has ambitious plans to launch its first crewed mission, Gaganyaan, in 2027, alongside aspirations for establishing a space station by 2035 and a lunar mission by 2040. Shukla was among four Indian Air Force officers selected last year to participate in the Gaganyaan mission.
Hailing from Lucknow and born on October 10, 1985, Shukla joined the Air Force as a fighter pilot, amassing over 2,000 flight hours across various aircraft. Leading into his spaceflight, he described the preceding year as "transformative," expressing hope as he embarked on this historic mission for India. "I carry the hopes and dreams of a billion hearts," he urged his fellow citizens to lend their support for the mission's success.
