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Shubhanshu Shukla made history as the first Indian astronaut to visit the International Space Station. He returned to Earth at 3:01 p.m. along with the rest of his crew in a Crew Dragon capsule named 'Grace' as a part of Axiom Mission 4.
He was publicly congratulated by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, President Droupadi Murmu and many other national leaders upon his arrival.
President Droupadi Murumu congratulated Shukla and the rest of the Axiom-4 crew on successful completion of the Axiom Mission- 4, through a post on 'X'.
"His role in piloting of Axiom Mission 4 to the International Space Station has created a new milestone for India’s space exploration as well as for international collaboration in science and technology," she said in her post.
A hearty welcome to Group Captain Shubhanshu Shukla as he comes back on Earth after his space journey. His role in piloting of Axiom Mission 4 to the International Space Station has created a new milestone for India’s space exploration as well as for international collaboration…
— President of India (@rashtrapatibhvn) July 15, 2025
Union Minister of Health Jagat Prakash Nadda congratulated pilot Shubhanshu Shukla the rest of the crew of Axiom-4, via a post on 'X'. He singled ISRO's Shukla out for praise saying that his achievement is not just a personal milestone but a proud moment for the entire nation.
"This feat is a big step toward India’s own human spaceflight mission, Gaganyaan," Nadda said.
History has been made, and the future of Indian space exploration shines brighter than ever.
— Jagat Prakash Nadda (@JPNadda) July 15, 2025
Heartfelt congratulations to Group Captain Shubhranshu Shukla and the entire Axiom-4 crew on their safe return to Earth. Shubhranshu Shukla’s achievement is not just a personal milestone…
Shubhanshu Shukla waves to the camera as he leaves the Dragon space shuttle. Shukla and the Axiom-4 crew splashed down at 3:00 pm.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi welcomes Group Captain Shubhanshu Shukla as he returns to Earth from his historic mission to Space.
"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 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," he wrote on his X profile.
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 International Space Station, he has inspired a billion dreams through his dedication, courage and pioneering…
— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) July 15, 2025
Indian Astronaut Shubhanshu Shukla's mother Asha Shukla expresses relief after son makes a splashdown in California.
"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," she said.
VIDEO | Here's the first reaction of mother of Indian astronaut Shubhanshu Shukla, Asha Shukla, who was in tears, as Axiom-4 mission crew has safely returned to earth from International Space Station.
— Press Trust of India (@PTI_News) July 15, 2025
She says, "My son has safely returned, I thank god, you all who have covered… pic.twitter.com/RWIws7HYns
Axiom-4 crew to spend seven days in rehabilitation as they adjust back to life on Earth.
Axiom-4 mission marks the return to space for India, Poland & Hungary after four decades.
'Happy to be back' says Axiom-4 commander Peggy Whitson as Dragon spacecraft splashes down.
Group Captain Shubhanshu Shukla’s parents turn emotional as Shukla and the Axiom-4 crew return to Earth.
VIDEO | Lucknow: Group Captain Shubhanshu Shukla’s parents turn emotional as Shukla and the Axiom-4 crew return to Earth.#ShubhanshuShukla
— Press Trust of India (@PTI_News) July 15, 2025
(Full video available on PTI Videos - https://t.co/n147TvqRQz) pic.twitter.com/txqGWHCLQ3
Splashdown of Dragon confirmed – welcome back to Earth, shared SpaceX on its X profile.
Splashdown of Dragon confirmed – welcome back to Earth, @AstroPeggy, Shux, @astro_slawosz, and Tibi!
— SpaceX (@SpaceX) July 15, 2025
Dragon spacecraft makes a fiery re-entry into Earth's atmosphere.
Dragon spacecraft makes a fiery re-entry into Earth's atmosphere.
(Source: Axiom/X profile)
Splashdown approximately in 5 minutes.
Dragon’s nosecone is closed and secured for re-entry.
Axiom-4 crew Shubhanshu Shukla, Peggy Whitson, mission specialists Slawosz Uznanski-Wisniewski and Tibor Kapu from on-orbit in the Dragon.
Dragon and the Ax-4 crew on-orbit pic.twitter.com/1eFanl2lWo
— SpaceX (@SpaceX) July 15, 2025
Dragon’s deorbit burn is complete and the trunk has been jettisoned.
This is Dragon’s second human spaceflight mission to splash down off the coast of California after Fram2 returned Dragon recovery operations to the West Coast this past April pic.twitter.com/ZTPmb2K2jc
— SpaceX (@SpaceX) July 15, 2025
On Sunday, other astronauts on the ISS held a farewell ceremony for the Axiom-4 team.
The Axiom-4 crew was sent to ISS to conduct nearly 60 experiments related to microgravity research, technology demos, and educational activities.
The return of Shukla and his teammates will involve a 22.5-hour journey, with the splashdown expected off the coast of California at 3:01 p.m. IST on Tuesday (4:31 a.m. CT).
Indian astronaut Shubhanshu Shukla is the second Indian to go to space, after Rakesh Sharma in 1984. He is set to return to Earth after his 18-day stay at the International Space Station.
Shubhanshu Shukla and three other astronauts of the Axiom-4 are all set to make a splashdown in Pacific Ocean soon. The crew began their journey back to Earth in the Dragon Grace spacecraft on Monday after an 18-day stay at the International Space Station.
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