'New Chapter...': Cabinet Hails Shubhanshu Shukla's Homecoming, Passes Resolution
The Union Cabinet welcomed astronaut Shubhanshu Shukla's return from the ISS after the Axiom-4 mission. Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw hailed the 18-day mission as historic.
The Union Cabinet on Wednesday passed a resolution welcoming the return of Indian astronaut Shubhanshu Shukla from International Space Station (ISS) after successfully concluding the Axiom-4 space mission.
Hailing Group Captain Shukla's homecoming, Union Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw announced that the Cabinet has passed a resolution following the successful completion of his historic 18-day mission aboard the ISS.
#WATCH | After the cabinet meeting, Union Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw says, 'Today the Union Cabinet has passed a resolution on the return of Group Captain Shubhanshu Shukla from ISS (International Space Station)…This is an occasion of pride, glory and joy for the entire country.… pic.twitter.com/yUE7nQFELU — ANI (@ANI) July 16, 2025
After the cabinet meeting, Union Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw said, 'Today the Union Cabinet has passed a resolution on the return of Group Captain Shubhanshu Shukla from ISS (International Space Station)…This is an occasion of pride, glory and joy for the entire country. Today, the Cabinet, along with the country, congratulates Group Captain Shubhanshu Shukla on his successful return to Earth. He has completed a historic 18-day mission on the International Space Station… This is a new chapter in India's space program. This gives a golden glimpse into the future of our space programme. The Cabinet congratulates the entire team of scientists and engineers at ISRO for this historic achievement…"
'The Cabinet commends the Indian Space Research Organisation and the entire community of our scientists and engineers whose relentless efforts have made this achievement possible," Vaishnaw added.
The Cabinet hailed Shukla's efforts at the ISS-bound mission, saying, his experiments will further deepen understanding of human spaceflight and and provide critical inputs for India's future missions.
'He conducted pioneering experiments in microgravity on subjects such as muscle regeneration, algal and microbial growth, crop viability, microbial survivability, cognitive performance in space, and the behaviour of cyanobacteria. These studies will deepen global understanding of human spaceflight and microgravity science, and provide critical inputs for India's future missions. This successful mission significantly elevates India's global standing in space exploration. It is a vital stepping stone towards India's own human spaceflight ambition, including the Gaganyaan and the Bharatiya Antariksha Station. It reaffirms India's resolve to be at the forefront of human space exploration."
Earlier on Wednesday, Shubhanshu Shukla, India's Gaganyatri, returned to earth as his SpaceX crew capsule Grace splashed down off the coast of California near San Diego right after 3pm IST. The Indian astronaut who was part of a commercial mission operated by Axiom Space, with the support of ISRO and NASA, is expected to land in India by August 17. Shukla has created history by becoming the first Indian astronaut to visit the ISS.
view comments
First Published:
July 16, 2025, 15:36 IST
Disclaimer: Comments reflect users' views, not News18's. Please keep discussions respectful and constructive. Abusive, defamatory, or illegal comments will be removed. News18 may disable any comment at its discretion. By posting, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
India.com
27 minutes ago
- India.com
ISRO spent a massive Rs 548 crore on Shubhanshu Shukla's Axiom-4 mission, but how much salary did the Indian astronaut receive?
Shubhanshu Shukla Shubhanshu Shukla salary: In a significant development for global space development, Group Captain Shubhanshu Shukla recently returned from the Axiom-4 mission aboard the International Space Station (ISS). Becoming the first Indian to live and work on the ISS, Shukla conducted over seven scientific experiments for ISRO in microgravity during the Axiom-4 mission. Notably, the mission was initially planned for 14 days but was extended to 18 days. However, do you know the amount of salary Shubhanshu Shukla received for the the Axiom-4 mission for which ISRO spent around Rs 548 crore? Here are all the details you need to know about the salary details of Shubhanshu Shukla. How much salary did Shubhanshu Shukla receive? You would be surprise to know that despite his significant contributions and 2,000+ hours of flight experience, Shukla did not receive any salary from ISRO, NASA, or Axiom Space for his participation. ISRO spent around Rs 548 crore on the mission, which covered training, travel, and scientific operations aboard the ISS. This mission is seen as a stepping stone for India's ambitious human spaceflight programme, Gaganyaan, planned for 2027. How will Axiom-4 help India's Gaganyaan Mission? The Axiom-4 collaboration not only helped India gain crucial spaceflight experience but also strengthened its global presence in space research and exploration. What has ISRO said on Shubanshu Shukla's contribution for India's Gaganyaan? The experience gained by IAF Group Captain Shubanshu Shukla onboard the International Space Station will be extremely valuable for India's Gaganyaan human spaceflight mission, ISRO recently said . 'The experience gained by Shubanshu Shukla during his time on the ISS will be extremely valuable for the Gaganyaan programme planned over the next two years,' said Nilesh M Desai, Director, Space Applications Centre, ISRO. Speaking to news agency IANS, Union Minister of State for Science and Technology Jitendra Singh said the safe return of Shukla from ISS establishes India's permanent place in the space domain. (With inputs from agencies)
India.com
27 minutes ago
- India.com
Vasuki Indicus: New King Of Giants Unearthed In Indias...., Dethrones Titanoboa; Check Its Massive Size, Weight, Fossil Pics
photoDetails english Vasuki Indicus Real Photos by IIT: Those who know about Lord Shiva, also knows about the revered snake Vasuki. Known as the snake that Lord Shiva wears around his neck, Vasuki was the son of the sage Kashyapa and the serpent queen Kadru, as per Hindu mythology or belief. As per Hindu scriptures, Vasuki was of unprecedented size and weight. In the modern era, for decades, the colossal Titanoboa held the undisputed title of the largest snake to have ever roamed Earth, with its impressive length of up to 42 feet. However, a groundbreaking discovery in Gujarat has potentially rewritten this chapter of paleontological history. Updated:Jul 16, 2025, 08:42 PM IST Vasuki Indicus Length, Weight 1 / 7 Fossils unearthed along the Kutch coast reveal an ancient serpent, now named Vasuki Indicus, estimated to have measured a staggering 49 feet long and weighed nearly 1,000 kilograms. This monumental find, the result of nearly two decades of dedicated research by scientists from IIT Roorkee, not only challenges our understanding of prehistoric megafauna but also draws a fascinating link to the mythical serpent Vasuki Naag from ancient Indian scriptures. Let's delve into the remarkable details of Vasuki Indicus: Vasuki Indicus: Scale, Size 2 / 7 The sheer scale of Vasuki Indicus redefines what was thought possible for ancient snakes. With length around 49 feet, it is a strong contender for the longest snake to have ever lived, potentially exceeding the previous record holder, Titanoboa. Based on the dimensions of its vertebrae, which measure between 38 to 62 millimeters in length and 62 to 111 millimeters in width, researchers infer that Vasuki Indicus possessed a broad, cylindrical body, similar to modern-day large pythons or anacondas. Vasuki Indicus Fossil 3 / 7 The story of Vasuki Indicus began with the discovery of its ancient remains, meticulously studied and identified over many years. The fossils were initially unearthed in 2005 at the Panandhro Lignite Mine in the Kutch district of Gujarat, India. Researchers recovered 27 mostly well-preserved vertebrae. Due to their massive size, the bones were initially thought to belong to a large crocodile, highlighting the extraordinary scale of this ancient serpent. Vasuki Indicus Age 4 / 7 Vasuki Indicus is estimated to have lived during the Middle Eocene period, approximately 47 million years ago, a time characterized by a warm global climate conducive to the growth of large cold-blooded reptiles. Vasuki Indicus belongs to an extinct lineage of giant snakes, offering insights into their evolutionary history. Vasuki Indicus Real Reconstruction 5 / 7 Though a complete skeleton of Vasuki Indicus has not been found, scientific analysis of its vertebrae allowed for remarkable reconstructions and insights into its lifestyle. The size and distinctive features of the recovered vertebrae were instrumental in estimating the snake's overall length and weight. Vasuki Indicus Mythology 6 / 7 The naming of this newly discovered species highlights a fascinating connection between ancient Indian lore and modern scientific discovery. The name "Vasuki Indicus" is a direct reference to Vasuki Naag, the revered mythical serpent from Hindu scriptures, often depicted as a divine ornament around Lord Shiva's neck. Vasuki Indicus vs. Titanoboa 7 / 7 It's a battle of the beasts. Vasuki Indicus, with an estimated maximum length of 49 feet, potentially surpasses Titanoboa's maximum reported length of 42 feet. While Vasuki Indicus is estimated to be around 1,000 kg, Titanoboa has been estimated to weigh slightly more, up to 1.25 tonnes.
Indian Express
27 minutes ago
- Indian Express
What Shubhanshu Shukla came back to Earth with: A beautiful view and knowledge to boost India's space mission
Written by Mila Mitra The Axiom Mission 4 (Ax-4), which returned to Earth on July 15, heralded a pivotal moment in India's space exploration journey. Launched on June 25, this international collaboration mission carried astronauts from the US, India, Hungary and Poland, marking the return to space for the latter three after decades. Group Captain Shubhanshu Shukla, the mission pilot, became the first Indian astronaut to live and work on the International Space Station (ISS), and the second Indian in space since Rakesh Sharma's 1984 mission. The Ax-4 mission generated a lot of excitement in the country, but was not merely inspirational. It was also invaluable for India's aspirations as India gained real human spaceflight experience, validated crucial experiments in space, strengthened global partnerships and advanced commercial space collaboration. While at ISS, Shukla and the astronauts worked on 60 experiments, seven of which were proposed by India and ISRO. What makes the ISS a unique space lab? ISS is placed at 400 km, low-Earth orbit, so its proximity to Earth makes it habitable as crews and supplies can be easily ferried. It is an ideal space laboratory as it operates in 'microgravity' and comprises trained astronauts — this enables research not possible on Earth. It helps simulate deeper space conditions, without going that far. Pictures of astronauts floating around in space wrongly suggest there is no gravity on the ISS. At this altitude, the Earth's gravity decreases but still exists, by about 10 per cent of that of Earth's. 'Microgravity' conditions are achieved because the astronauts and everything within ISS travel with the space station at the same speed, leading to a 'free fall'. It's like falling in an elevator if the cables snap — you and the elevator are falling together and accelerating downward at the same rate, so you feel weightless. Experiments in microgravity yield important results as the effects of gravity are removed so one can see the effects of other forces that are hard to reveal on Earth. Matter behaves differently than on Earth. For example, fluids do not display buoyancy (floating) and sedimentation. Microgravity research spans several fields, including the study of fluids, materials science, combustion, biology — the lack of gravity and change in fluid behaviour affect cell growth, gene expression, and plant development. Human physiology and how the body adapts to microgravity, and possible solutions are also studied. Notably, India has contributed to seven out of the 60 microgravity experiments on Axiom-4. The results will contribute to long-term space exploration. Additionally, the Indian human-crewed mission Gaganyaan may also take these experiments forward. The Indian experiments included studying the effects of space exposure on microalgae and cyanobacteria, which are being explored as sustainable food sources in long-duration missions, while germination and the genetic yield of crops like moong, fenugreek and seven other seed types will be evaluated to understand the effects of space exposure on plants. Studying the behaviour of tardigrades, tiny microorganisms that can withstand extreme conditions on Earth, will help understand extreme resilience in space. Metabolic supplements to combat muscle atrophy have been studied for astronaut health and can also suggest therapies for Earth-based muscle deterioration, such as osteoporosis. Interestingly, one of the experiments involved cognitive performance in space. Studying how microgravity affects gaze, eye movement and stress when astronauts use screens in space may influence ergonomic spacecraft systems designs, reducing stress for future crews. Shukla carried back experiment samples to Earth where scientists will further explore the effects of space exposure. He also participated in outreach and connected to students in his own school in Lucknow. Notably, Shukla found a favourite perch on an ISS cupola and talked about the beautiful view of Earth from space. This kind of interaction can really inspire the next generation. What does this very successful and widely followed mission mean for India's space aspirations? India has lofty plans for space exploration. The Gaganyaan Mission, slated for 2027 plans to send a manned mission to the Low-Earth Orbit (LEO) of 400 km with a crew of three members and bring them back to Earth. As announced by the Prime Minister, India's own space station, Bharatiya Antariksh Station is also planned for 2035. Shukla and his backup Group Captain Prasanth Balakrishnan Nair, both selected as astronauts for Gaganyaan, have now completed astronaut training. Shukla, as the mission pilot, has gained hands-on experience in spacecraft navigation, docking and crew coordination aboard the ISS. His insights can help refine mission planning for Gaganyaan. ISS operations will also serve as a template for India's space station plans. The experience gained will suggest strategies for future Moon and deep space exploration missions. The Axiom-4 mission, a multinational collaboration between NASA, Axiom Space, Space-X, European Space Agency and ISRO, reinforced India-US-Europe relations in the space sector, opening doors for future joint missions and collaborations. 'As space becomes a key arena for commercial and scientific efforts,' said Matt Ondler, president of Axiom Space, 'India, with its rich history in space exploration and clear leadership in technology and entrepreneurship, will be crucial in shaping the domain and advancing humanity's presence in space.' The Ax-4 mission was not merely symbolic, it was a strategic launchpad for India's continued success in space. The writer is co-founder, STEM & Space
