Published Jul 15, 2025 | 5:25 PM ⚊ Updated Jul 15, 2025 | 5:25 PM
Group Captain Shubhanshu Shukla assisted out of the Dragon Spacecraft. (DDNews/ X)
Synopsis: Indian astronaut Group Captain Shubhanshu Shukla and the Axiom Mission 4 crew safely returned to Earth on 15 July, splashing down off San Diego aboard SpaceX’s Dragon. The team, including astronauts from the U.S., Poland, and Hungary, spent 18 days on the ISS after launching on 26 June from NASA’s Kennedy Space Center aboard a Falcon 9 rocket.
Indian astronaut Group Captain Shubhanshu Shukla and the three member crew of Axiom Mission 4 (Ax-4) successfully returned to Earth on Tuesday, 15 July.
The SpaceX Dragon spacecraft made a safe splashdown off the coast of San Diego at 3:01 p.m. IST (2:31 a.m. PT).
The crew including mission commander Peggy Whitson from the United States, and mission specialists Slawosz Uznanski-Wisniewski of Poland and Tibor Kapu of Hungary, apart from Shubhanshu Shukla had undocked from the International Space Station on Tuesday, 14 July, after spending 18 days at the ISS.
The mission launched toward the International Space Station on 26 June. The crew lifted off aboard a SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket from NASA’s Kennedy Space Center in Florida.
Sharing the news, SpaceX wrote on X: “Splashdown of Dragon confirmed – welcome back to Earth, @AstroPeggy, Shux, @astro_slawosz, and Tibi!”
Splashdown of Dragon confirmed – welcome back to Earth, @AstroPeggy, Shux, @astro_slawosz, and Tibi!
— SpaceX (@SpaceX) July 15, 2025
According to reports, after landing, Group Captain Shukla, along with other crew members, will undergo a seven day rehabilitation programme under the supervision of the Flight Surgeons to adapt back to Earth’s gravity.
Group Captain Shubhanshu Shukla made history as the first Indian to visit the International Space Station and only the second Indian astronaut to travel to space, following Wing Commander Rakesh Sharma’s mission in 1984. During his time aboard the ISS, Shukla carried out seven India-specific experiments, contributing significantly to the country’s space research.
In a heartfelt farewell ceremony aboard the ISS, Shukla described his space journey as “incredible.” Reflecting on India from orbit, he remarked that the nation appeared “ambitious, fearless, confident, and full of pride.” Echoing the iconic words of Rakesh Sharma, he added that India still looks “saare jahan se accha” from space.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi wrote on X : “I join the nation in welcoming Group Captain Shubhanshu Shukla as he returns to Earth from his historic mission to Space. As India’s first astronaut to have visited International Space Station, he has inspired a billion dreams through his dedication, courage and pioneering spirit. It marks another milestone towards our own Human Space Flight Mission – Gaganyaan.”
I join the nation in welcoming Group Captain Shubhanshu Shukla as he returns to Earth from his historic mission to Space. As India’s first astronaut to have visited International Space Station, he has inspired a billion dreams through his dedication, courage and pioneering…
— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) July 15, 2025
Union Minister of State, Science and Technology also congratulated the crew, and wrote on X: “Congratulations Team #Axiom4! A moment of pride for the world as “Dragon” successfully splashes down, off the California coast near San Diago. A moment of glory for India as one of her illustrious sons returns from a successful voyage… having conducted for the posterity, life-bearing experiments in microgravity, never done before. Bharat today finds an enduring Space in the world of Space !”
Congratulations Team #Axiom4!
A moment of pride for the world as “Dragon” successfully splashes down, off the California coast near San Diago.
A moment of glory for India as one of her illustrious sons returns from a successful voyage… having conducted for the posterity,… pic.twitter.com/vZHzykeTQr
— Dr Jitendra Singh (@DrJitendraSingh) July 15, 2025
(Edited by Sumavarsha)
