Group Captain Shubhanshu Shukla, the first Indian astronaut to visit the International Space Station (ISS) as part of the Axiom-4 mission, is returning to Earth after a successful and groundbreaking journey.
First Indian Astronaut Shubhanshu Shukla Returns from Historic ISS Mission
First Indian Astronaut Shubhanshu Shukla Returns from Historic ISS Mission
Group Captain Shubhanshu Shukla's trailblazing journey marks a significant milestone in India’s space exploration efforts.
In a historic achievement for India, astronaut Shubhanshu Shukla is returning from his landmark role as the inaugural Indian to set foot on the International Space Station (ISS). The Axiom-4 (Ax-4) mission, which launched with a four-member crew, undocked from the ISS on Monday, with a live broadcast showcasing the moments leading up to separation. The spacecraft is projected to splash down off the California coast in under 24 hours.
Shukla, who served as the mission's pilot and is only the second Indian in space after Rakesh Sharma's 1984 Soyuz flight, joined the exceptional crew, which also included members from Poland and Hungary. The Ax-4 journey is a commercial initiative organized by Axiom Space in collaboration with NASA, the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO), the European Space Agency (ESA), and SpaceX.
In his farewell from the ISS, Shukla reflected on India's ongoing journey into space exploration, highlighting the determination and ambition that defines the nation. He emphasized a shared vision for the future, using a famous Urdu phrase from Rakesh Sharma: "Sare jahan se achcha," expressing pride in India's aspirations as viewed from outer space.
The Ax-4 mission, initially expected to last two weeks, extended slightly due to fruitful research efforts. Over the duration of their stay, crew members executed around 60 scientific experiments, including seven conducted in partnership with ISRO. The cost for Shukla's seat on this flight was funded by ISRO, which sees this mission as a stepping stone for India's future human spaceflight aims.
Looking ahead, ISRO is gearing up for its Gaganyaan mission, which aims for a crewed launch in 2027, alongside ambitious plans for a space station by 2035 and an astronaut moon landing by 2040. Shukla, a seasoned fighter pilot with over 2,000 hours of experience, is among the shortlist for Gaganyaan.
He reflects on his transformative journey, stating, "I carry not just instruments and equipment, I carry hopes and dreams of a billion hearts." As he prepares to return, the excitement for India's space exploration continues to build.
Shukla, who served as the mission's pilot and is only the second Indian in space after Rakesh Sharma's 1984 Soyuz flight, joined the exceptional crew, which also included members from Poland and Hungary. The Ax-4 journey is a commercial initiative organized by Axiom Space in collaboration with NASA, the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO), the European Space Agency (ESA), and SpaceX.
In his farewell from the ISS, Shukla reflected on India's ongoing journey into space exploration, highlighting the determination and ambition that defines the nation. He emphasized a shared vision for the future, using a famous Urdu phrase from Rakesh Sharma: "Sare jahan se achcha," expressing pride in India's aspirations as viewed from outer space.
The Ax-4 mission, initially expected to last two weeks, extended slightly due to fruitful research efforts. Over the duration of their stay, crew members executed around 60 scientific experiments, including seven conducted in partnership with ISRO. The cost for Shukla's seat on this flight was funded by ISRO, which sees this mission as a stepping stone for India's future human spaceflight aims.
Looking ahead, ISRO is gearing up for its Gaganyaan mission, which aims for a crewed launch in 2027, alongside ambitious plans for a space station by 2035 and an astronaut moon landing by 2040. Shukla, a seasoned fighter pilot with over 2,000 hours of experience, is among the shortlist for Gaganyaan.
He reflects on his transformative journey, stating, "I carry not just instruments and equipment, I carry hopes and dreams of a billion hearts." As he prepares to return, the excitement for India's space exploration continues to build.
