Shubhanshu Shukla Return: SpaceX Confirms Splashdown; PM Modi Welcomes Astronaut

Following an farewell from orbit where he praised India's ambition, Group Captain Shubhanshu Shukla and the Axiom-4 crew have made a triumphant and safe return to Earth. The mission ended with a splashdown in the Pacific Ocean on July 15, 2025, successfully concluding their 18-day scientific expedition to the International Space Station. This safe return ended a 22.5-hour journey from the ISS.

• The Axiom-4 (Ax-4) mission was a landmark private spaceflight that took a multinational crew to the International Space Station (ISS).

•  Before leaving the ISS, Group Captain Shubhanshu Shukla delivered a memorable farewell speech. Stating from space, a modern India looks "ambitious, fearless, confident and full of pride," and still appears "saare jahan se accha" (the best in the world).

• After an 18-day stay at the ISS where the crew conducted over 60 scientific experiments, the SpaceX Dragon capsule "Grace" successfully undocked. Following a 22.5-hour journey, the crew made a splashdown in the Pacific Ocean off the coast of California on July 15, 2025.

•  Shukla's safe return was celebrated as a moment of immense pride in India. Prime Minister Narendra Modi hailed him for inspiring "a billion dreams," and President Draupadi Murmu, J P Nadda and many others praised the mission as a "golden chapter" in India's space odyssey and a proud stride for its ambitions.

• Shukla's flight, where he performed seven India-specific experiments, is considered a vital learning experience for India's own upcoming crewed spaceflight program, Gaganyaan.

The four-member Axiom 4 mission had lifted off on June 25 and reached the ISS the next day. While they were supposed to stay for 14 days, the mission was extended by nearly three days due to unfavourable weather.

The capsule's atmospheric re-entry will generate a sonic boom before it safely lands in the water.This concludes an 18-day mission for the crew who is returning with over 580 pounds of cargo and data from more than 60 experiments.

During his time on the International Space Station, Shukla successfully completed all seven of his planned microgravity experiments.The entire return journey from the ISS takes about 22.5 hours.

The  Dragon spacecraft, carrying the Ax-4 crew, will announce its arrival into Earth with a brief sonic boom prior to splashing down in the Pacific Ocean. 

A sonic boom is a loud, thunderous noise created when an object travels through the air faster than the speed of sound. The loud boom occurs when the object breaks the sound barrier due to its speed.

The Axiom-4 crew, India’s Group Captain Shubanshu Shukla, alongside Commander Peggy Whitson from the United States, European Space Agency project astronaut Sławosz Uznański-Wiśniewski from Poland, and Hungary’s Tibor Kapu, undocked from the International Space Station at 7:15 a.m. EDT (4:45 p.m. IST) on Monday, 14 July 2025 aboard SpaceX’s Crew Dragon capsule, named Grace.

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The Axiom-4 mission crew, who were earlier supposed to start their return to Earth by July 10, has now undocked from the International Space Station (ISS) on Monday at 7:15 AM (EDT). The undocking will took place from ISS’s forward-facing port of the station’s Harmony module.

Following a series of departure burns, the SpaceX Dragon spacecraft has exited the approach ellipsoid of the International Space Station (ISS), a 4 km by 2 km three dimensional safety zone around the space station.

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Indian astronaut Subhanshu Shukla’s 15-day mission in space will play a crucial role in India’s first manned spaceflight under the Gaganyaan programme, the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) said on Monday. Shukla became the first Indian in 41 years to travel to space wher he undertook scientific experiments aboard the International Space Station (ISS).

“This has been an unforgettable experience for him (Subhanshu Shukla). He carried out multiple experiments aboard the Space Shuttle and the International Space Station. After experiencing space and microgravity, he conducted several scientific tests.

This mission has been a major learning opportunity for us. ISRO took up this mission to gather experience that will help us in our Gaganyaan programme,” said Nilesh M Desai, Director, Space Applications Centre, ISRO.

The astronaut's parents shared their joy as they awaited their son's return to Earth. His mother, Asha Shukla, spoke of their prayers and a planned grand welcome, while his father expressed that their son "had made us so proud" and now "belongs to the entire nation." Both emphasized their prayers for his safe landing, calling it a "day of joy for the entire nation."

Source: ANI

The crucial de-orbit burn has begun and is expected to last just under 18 minutes. During this phase, the Dragon spacecraft will temporarily lose communication with ground control for approximately seven minutes.

Source: SpaceX

The Dragon spacecraft has successfully completed its de-orbit burn, initiating its return to Earth, says SpaceX.

SpaceX has confirmed that Dragon’s nosecone is now closed and secured, clearing the way for atmospheric reentry. Splashdown is expected in approximately 23 minutes as the spacecraft continues its controlled descent.

Source: SpaceX

Dragon spacecraft carrying Axiom-4 crew and Group Captain Shubhanshu Shukla is on its way to Earth after an 18-day stay aboard the International Space Station (ISS).

Union Minister of State (Independent Charge) for Science & Technology, Jitendra Singh, joins scientists and dignitaries to watch the live telecast of Axiom-4 crew members Shubhanshu Shukla and team splash down near San Diego at 3 PM IST.

Dragon spacecraft makes fiery re-entry into Earth's atmosphere.

SpaceX confirmed the splashdown of the spacecraft. "Splashdown of Dragon confirmed – welcome back to Earth, @AstroPeggy, Shux, @astro_slawosz, and Tibi!", they posted on X.

Taking it to X, SpaceX posted visuals of Dragon’s four main parachutes being deployed.

Subhanshu Shukla's mother Asha Shukla, who was in tears, as Axiom-4 mission crew has safely returned to earth from International Space Station, said, "My son has safely returned, I thank god, you all who have covered the event. I got emotional, after all, my son has returned after many days."

Taking it to X, PM Narendra Modi posted, "I join the nation in welcoming Group Captain Shubhanshu Shukla as he returns to Earth from his historic mission to Space. 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. It marks another milestone towards our own Human Space Flight Mission - Gaganyaan."

Shubhanshu Shukla return live: Happy to be back, says Axiom-4 commander Peggy Whitson as Dragon spacecraft makes successful splash down.

Source: SpaceX

Appreciating the experiments Indian astronaut Shubanshu Shukla carried out onboard ISS, Union Minister Jitendra Singh said ” Not only they are important for the humanity, but what is the matter of pride for India is that they are the first of its kind experiments which have never been conducted before, they are closely related to human life, also the survival, sustenance of living beings in micro-gravity conditions, they are going to be useful for entire mankind. PM Modi gave us the concept of role of Vishwa Bandhu Bharat, this is a performance in that action.”

Source: PTI

Following the splashdown of SpaceX Dragon spacecraft in San Diego, California, Indian astronaut Shubanshu Shukla has exited the Dragon capsule.

Defence Minister Rajnath Singh commended astronaut Shubhanshu Shukla's historic achievement, stating that his journey into space has significantly boosted India's national ambitions.

BSP chief and former Chief Minister of Uttar Pradesh, Mayawati congratulated Shubanshu Shukla on his space mission.

Union Minister JP Nadda said, “History has been made, and the future of Indian space exploration shines brighter than ever.