In a proud and emotional moment for India, Group Captain Shubhanshu Shukla and the Axiom-4 crew have officially begun their return journey to Earth aboard SpaceX’s Crew Dragon “Grace”, which successfully undocked from the International Space Station at 4:35 PM IST on July 14. The operation, though briefly delayed by ten minutes, proceeded smoothly as the thruster burns executed flawlessly, marking the end of a remarkable 18-day mission.
During his time aboard the ISS, Shukla conducted seven ISRO-led scientific experiments covering areas such as microgravity behavior, algae growth in space, and astronaut mental health—advancing India’s space research portfolio in collaboration with global partners. The crew also took part in a heartfelt farewell ceremony with NASA’s Expedition 73 team.
“Grace” is now en route to Earth, with splashdown scheduled in the Pacific Ocean off the California coast at around 3:00 PM IST on July 15. Weather conditions at the landing site remain favorable, and all final checks have been cleared.
Back home, Shukla’s family in Lucknow is filled with pride and anticipation, as the entire nation closely follows this homecoming. In a touching moment during his farewell, Shukla evoked Rakesh Sharma’s legendary words, declaring: “Today’s India looks ambitious, fearless, confident and proud… still ‘saare jahan se accha’.”
This mission not only marked a significant leap for India’s presence in space but also underscored the growing global impact of Indian astronauts on the international stage.
