First Indian Astronaut's Historic Journey to the ISS Concludes

Group Captain Shubhanshu Shukla has safely undocked from the International Space Station (ISS) after becoming the first Indian to visit it, marking a significant milestone in India's space journey.

Astronaut Shubhanshu Shukla, who made history as the first Indian to visit the International Space Station (ISS), started his journey back to Earth following a successful mission as part of the Axiom-4 (Ax-4) flight. The mission undocked from the ISS during a live broadcast, with the crew now expected to splash down in the ocean off California within 24 hours.

Shukla was leading a four-member team, which included Polish astronaut Slawosz Uznanski-Wisniewski and Hungarian astronaut Tibor Kapu, alongside former NASA veteran Peggy Whitson. This mission can be traced back to 26 June when they first arrived at the ISS. With Shukla being only the second Indian in space—41 years after Rakesh Sharma's historic flight—the mission has captured significant public interest in India.

Axiom Space shared images on X showcasing the crew enjoying various meals while in orbit. On Monday, as the Ax-4 spacecraft undocked, the ISS confirmed via social media that the crew had secured their places in the craft, which is set to splash down at 15:00 India time (09:30 GMT).

In a poignant farewell address from the ISS, Shukla emphasized the long and challenging journey ahead for India's space exploration efforts. "Even though now it is coming to an end... if we are determined, even the stars are attainable," he stated, inspiring a hopeful vision for the future.

He quoted Rakesh Sharma, reflecting on how India appears from space: "Today's India looks ambitious, fearless, confident, and proud." The Ax-4 mission, which saw its timeline extended with the crew conducting an impressive 60 scientific experiments, is positioned as a pivotal step towards India's next phase in space exploration.

The Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) invested 5 billion rupees (approximately $59 million) for Shukla's seat and training on Ax-4, emphasizing the importance of the experiences gained during this mission for India's forthcoming human space flights.

With plans for India’s first human spaceflight, Gaganyaan, scheduled in 2027, and ambitions to build a space station by 2035, Shukla’s journey signifies a leap towards realizing these goals. His keen interest in aviation, having served as a fighter pilot since 2006, accompanies his transformative experience through this mission.

As Shukla prepares for his return, he carries with him the dreams and aspirations of a billion Indians, urging the nation to rally in support of future endeavors into the stars.