Indian Astronaut Shubhanshu Shukla to Return from ISS Today in Historic Space Mission Finale

After completing 18-day Axiom Mission 4, Shukla and crew to splash down in Pacific Ocean; mission marks major milestone for India’s global space ambitions.

New Delhi: 15 July 2025

Indian astronaut Group Captain Shubhanshu Shukla is set to complete his historic journey in space today as the Axiom Mission 4 (Ax-4) prepares for splashdown in the Pacific Ocean near San Diego at 3:01 p.m. IST on July 15. The SpaceX Dragon spacecraft, which undocked from the International Space Station (ISS) on July 14, will mark its re-entry with a sonic boom before landing, concluding a remarkable 22.5-hour return trip.

Shukla, who became one of the few Indians to participate in a long-duration space mission, spent 18 days aboard the ISS conducting critical microgravity experiments. Led by veteran astronaut Peggy Whitson, the Ax-4 crew also included Polish engineer Sławosz Uznański and Hungarian scientist Tibor Kapu. Together, they carried out over 60 experiments for 31 nations ranging from biomedical research to cutting-edge space tech development.

The Dragon capsule is bringing back around 580 pounds of cargo, including valuable NASA hardware and experimental data. ISRO confirmed that Shukla successfully completed all seven of his scheduled experiments, contributing vital insights for India’s upcoming Gaganyaan mission and reinforcing the country’s standing in international space collaboration.

After splashdown, Shukla will follow a full seven-day rehabilitation period to adapt from microgravity human Earth. His participation in the Ax-4 mission further illustrates the growing commercialization of space, as Axiom Space and SpaceX bring in both private and global astronauts.
Not only does the mission signify India’s increasing footprint in space science, but also reinforces the reliability of SpaceX’s crewed missions, and rising opportunities in global space partnerships.

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