Astronaut Shubhanshu Shukla back on terra firma after 18-day space expedition
The SpaceX Dragon capsule carrying pilot Shukla and three other crew members, mission commander Peggy Whitson and project astronauts Tibor Kapu and Sławosz Uznański-Wiśniewski, splashed down off the coast of San Diego, California, at approximately 3:02 pm IST on July 15. The return journey from the ISS to splashdown lasted 22.5 hours.
The Ax-4 mission, seen as a precursor to the Indian Space Research Organisation's (ISRO) upcoming Gaganyaan human spaceflight programme, saw Shukla conduct seven microgravity experiments aboard the ISS, a first for an Indian national. Prime Minister Narendra Modi, welcoming Shukla's return to earth, said, 'As India's first astronaut to have visited the International Space Station, he has inspired a billion dreams through his dedication, courage, and pioneering spirit.' The PM, who also holds the portfolio of space, added that the mission's success marked 'another milestone towards our own Human Space Flight Mission - Gaganyaan.'Shukla, along with his crew members, will spend seven days in a rehabilitation programme. Medical evaluations will be conducted, covering physical fitness, balance, reflexes, cardiovascular functions, and immune response. The astronauts will be debriefed about the mission experience and research experiments. The data will help the partner nations plan future collaborative space missions.
Experts say extended exposure to microgravity can lead to temporary bone loss, muscle weakening, and changes in how fluids move through the body. This can affect everything from blood circulation to organ function. NASA specialists noted that astronauts often return with symptoms like swollen faces, thinner legs, changes in vision, and even a slight increase in height during their time in orbit. ISRO, in a statement earlier, said, 'Gaganyatri Shubhanshu Shukla has successfully completed all seven microgravity experiments and other planned activities, achieving significant milestones in the mission.'The space agency said all planned experiments were successfully completed. These included studies on Indian strains of tardigrades (to observe how microorganisms behave in microgravity), myogenesis (muscle cell development), sprouting of methi and moong seeds, performance of cyanobacteria and microalgae (photosynthetic microbes) and the response of crop seeds in space were recorded. ISRO also sent a 'Voyager Display' experiment, which tested how electronic screens function in microgravity. It was named after NASA's Voyager 1 and 2 spacecraft.Speaking to the media, Jitendra Singh, minister of state for science and technology, said Shux will hold discussions with ISRO experts and undergo debriefings with Axiom Space, SpaceX, and NASA. He added that the experiments conducted will be of relevance for the whole world. The astronaut is expected to be back in New Delhi on August 17."Bharat today finds an enduring Space in the world of Space!" Singh wrote on X.The Ax-4 was launched from Kennedy Space Centre on June 25, during which astronauts from India, Hungary, and Poland, along with NASA veteran Whitson, conducted about 60 scientific experiments. Elevate your knowledge and leadership skills at a cost cheaper than your daily tea. Rumblings at the top of Ola Electric
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Hans India
9 minutes ago
- Hans India
Splashdown! The grace has landed
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Time of India
13 minutes ago
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PM Modi, who laid foundation of ISS mission during his US visit, says ‘Shukla has inspired a billion dreams'
File photo: PM Modi interacting with Shubhanshu Shukla NEW DELHI: Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Tuesday extended a hearty welcome to Group Captain Shubhanshu Shukla on his return to Earth after a successful 18-day stay at the International Space Station (ISS), saying 'as India's first astronaut to have visited ISS, Shukla has inspired a billion dreams with his dedication, courage and pioneering spirit'. 'I join the nation in welcoming Group Captain Shubhanshu Shukla as he returns to Earth from his historic mission to Space. It marks another milestone towards our own Human Space Flight Mission -- Gaganyaan,' the PM posted on X. When Shukla had talked to Modi from ISS some days back, the PM advised him to learn as much as possible during the Axiom-4 mission, so that the experience could be used for the Gagayaan mission. Shukla had conducted seven Isro-specific microgravity experiments and several others with the Axiom-4 mission crew members. It was Modi who laid the foundation for India's first trip to ISS, after he met then US President Joe Biden in the White House during a state visit in 2024, with the two countries subsequently collaborating to send an Indian astronaut to the orbital station as part of Axiom-4 mission. During that visit, India also signed the Artemis Accords, an initiative undertaken by Nasa to return humans to the Moon. Earlier, it was PM Modi who gave the astronaut wings to Group Captain Shukla and three other IAF pilots — Group Captain Prashanth Balakrishnan, Group Captain Ajith Krishnan, Group Captain Angad Pratap — and revealed Gaganyaan mission astronauts to the world. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like An engineer reveals: One simple trick to get internet without a subscription Techno Mag Learn More Undo On Shukla's successful return, defence minister Rajnath Singh spoke to Shambhu Dayal Shukla, the father of the astronaut, following his successful return to Earth. "Group Captain Shubhanshu Shukla's successful return from the historic Axiom-4 mission is a proud moment for every Indian. He has not just touched space, he has lifted India's aspirations to new heights," Singh said on X. As soon as Shukla made a successful splashdown in the Pacific Ocean aboard SpaceX 's Crew Dragon, thousands of miles away, his hometown of Lucknow erupted with chants of "Bharat Mata Ki Jai" and applause. Shukla's father, Shambhu Dayal Shukla, mother Asha Devi and sister Suchi Misra were charged with emotions as the Dragon splashed in the Pacific Ocean off the California coast. 'He has been to space and back and we are all over the moon because this mission has its own importance for the country's Gaganyaan programme," Shambhu Dayal Shukla said. Shux's mom Asha Shukla said, "We are very are waiting for our son... We are proud that our son wrote his name in history... We will give him a grand welcome...'. Uttar Pradesh chief minister Yogi Adityanath called the achievement of Shukla, who hails from Lucknow, "a glorious symbol of courage, dedication and commitment to science". "Every Indian, especially the people of Uttar Pradesh, is proud today. India awaits your return with great excitement," he added.
Hans India
23 minutes ago
- Hans India
MyVoice: Views of our readers 16th July 2025
Bravo Shubhanshu! Heartiest congratulations to astronaut Shubhanshu Shukla for the successful completion of his space mission. We became emotional while watching the successful splash down from the Dragon space capsule, off the Coast of California, which ferried our nation's hero, along with three other astronauts. Shukla, the second Indian to go into space, conducted 60 odd experiments that were assigned to him by ISRO and NASA. My greetings to Shukla for inspiring millions of countrymen with his indomitable spirit, dedication and courage. The knowledge and experience he has gained in the last fortnight will help ISRO scientists to work on its plans as regards the Gaganyan programme. R. J. Janardhana Rao, Hyderabad-28. Shubhanshu research centre-cum-university Welcome back to earth Shubhanshu Shukla and fellow-three astronauts after 18 days of research in ISS (International Space Station). The team emerged from the Dragon capsule that splashed into the Pacific Ocean (3.30 pm July 15). Setting up a full-fledged 'Shubhanshu research centre-cum-university' will be the finest tribute to him. Shubhanshu is an inspiration to 140 crore Indians and their progressive dreams. His interviews to the media on his research work are the most awaited, especially by the budding space-aspirants. PVP Madhu Nivriti, Secunderabad-61 Proud moment for Indians Group Captain Shubhanshu Shukla returning to earth after the successful Axiom-4 Mission is a proud moment for every Indian, reminiscent of Rakesh Sharma's historic spaceflight. He spent 18 days in the International Space Station (ISS), which is a remarkable career milestone. Notably, the astronaut successfully completed the assigned experiments during his mission. While wishing Shukla for his achievement, I hope these will inspire many youngsters. 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