'It's His Rebirth': Tears & Prayers In Lucknow As Shubhanshu Shukla Makes Final Call From Space

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Shukla's family said re-entry to Earth is the most dangerous part of the mission but the astronaut's confidence had given them the belief that all would end well
'This is my last call from the ISS…I'm coming back and will meet you all soon." With these parting words, Group Captain Shubhanshu Shukla, India's first astronaut aboard the International Space Station (ISS), signed off from Space in what his family calls the most emotional moment of his 18-day journey.
The message came during a brief satellite call just hours before his scheduled undocking from the ISS at 4.30pm IST on Tuesday as part of the final leg of the Axiom Mission 4 (Ax-4).
Though calm and composed, Shubhanshu's words hit hard back home in Lucknow. For the Shukla family, the upcoming return of their son is not just the end of a groundbreaking mission—but a moment akin to rebirth.
'The Call Was Different'
'This one was unlike all the earlier calls," recalled Suchi Shukla, his sister, speaking to News18. 'Usually, we speak freely, laugh, and ask him all kinds of questions. But this time, we all prepared ourselves to remain silent. The moment was heavy."
His mother, Asha Shukla, broke down during the call. 'I couldn't speak. I just listened to his voice and cried. He knew I was crying, yet he stayed calm. He kept motivating us and saying everything would be fine," she said. 'That final call was emotional, but it gave us strength too."
According to the family, everyone was fighting to hold back their emotions. 'We all knew it was the most critical phase of the mission—re-entry is dangerous. But deep down, we believe he will return safely. And the credit for that confidence goes to Shubhanshu," Suchi said.
The family likens his return to a second birth.
'This mission feels like a rebirth of Shubhanshu," said Suchi. 'He went away from Earth into a completely different environment, and now he's returning with new experiences and memories. It's almost like he has come back from another world," she added.
The family has been holding an 18-day special prayer session since the mission entered its final stretch, praying for the safe return of Shubhanshu and his fellow astronauts. 'The day he lands safely will not just mark the end of a mission—it will mark the end of our constant anxiety," Asha Shukla added. 'He is reborn for us."
Call from Space that Brought Earthly Comfort
Two days before the final call, the Shukla family also received a video call from the ISS that made the entire journey feel more real. 'He was floating in zero gravity, smiling, showing us around the space station," Suchi shared. 'For a few minutes, we forgot he was thousands of kilometres above us. It felt like he was just in the next room."
Asha Shukla added, 'He looked healthy, his eyes sparkled. That video call took away so much fear. It made everything seem normal."
Undocking Begins, Return Set for July 15
Group Captain Shukla, along with Commander Peggy Whitson, and Mission Specialists Sławosz Uznański-Wiśniewski and Tibor Kapu, began their return journey aboard SpaceX's Dragon spacecraft. The spacecraft undocked from the ISS on July 9 at 4:30 pm IST and is expected to splash down off the California coast on July 15, around 3:00 pm IST.
Upon return, the crew will undergo a 10-day post-mission medical observation, as is standard for space travelers to ensure their physical adaptation after prolonged microgravity exposure.
The Longest Indian Presence on ISS
Originally planned for two weeks, the Axiom-4 mission was extended to nearly three weeks, making it the longest duration an Indian has ever spent on the ISS.
Shubhanshu's inclusion on the Ax-4 mission was part of a landmark collaboration between ISRO and NASA, fulfilling a commitment made by Presidents Donald Trump and Joe Biden, and Prime Minister Narendra Modi, to further joint human spaceflight efforts.
Over 60 Experiments in 18 Days: India's Space Science Milestone
During the mission, the Ax-4 crew conducted over 60 scientific experiments, including several spearheaded by Shukla under India's research portfolio. These studies, designed by ISRO and top Indian research institutions, spanned space biology, AI, materials science, cognitive psychology, and sustainable food systems.
One of the standout projects was the Sprouts Experiment, which examined how Moong beans and Fenugreek (Methi) germinate in microgravity. Though he couldn't eat the sprouts, the goal was to understand the changes in nutritional content, growth, and gene expression—critical for future space agriculture.
Another key study involved stem cell research, testing if muscle regeneration could be accelerated using nutritional supplements in zero gravity—an experiment that could reshape both space medicine and treatments on Earth.
He also led a psychological investigation called Voyager Displays, measuring how astronauts interact with screens and digital systems in space—data that could improve spacecraft and aviation interface designs.
Further, Shukla worked on microalgae cultivation and studied tardigrades, microscopic creatures known for surviving extreme conditions, to understand their response to cosmic radiation and low temperatures.
Dr Lucie Low: 'Thank You for Carrying the ISRO Portfolio'
Dr Lucie Low, Chief Scientist at Axiom Space, who frequently interacted with Shubhanshu, lauded his performance. 'Thank you, Shux, for all your hard work doing science in the glove box and for the entire ISRO portfolio," she said, using his call sign.
Her appreciation reflected the larger international admiration for Shukla's contributions to global space science during the mission.
Back in Lucknow, A Family Prepares
Despite the nerves, the Shukla family is preparing for Shubanshu's homecoming in their own way. 'His favourite dishes are already being planned," said Asha. 'It's our way of keeping hope alive. We'll feed him the food of home, of Earth."
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As India awaits to welcome back its Gaganyatri, one home in Lucknow is already brimming with emotion, prayer, and anticipation.
'This is more than just a mission," Suchi said. 'It's the story of courage, science, and above all—faith. And for us, it's the story of our Shubhanshu's rebirth."
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Location :
Lucknow, India, India
First Published:
July 14, 2025, 15:00 IST
News india 'It's His Rebirth': Tears & Prayers In Lucknow As Shubhanshu Shukla Makes Final Call From Space
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