Historic Return of India's First Astronaut from International Space Station

Astronaut Shubhanshu Shukla has made history as the first Indian to have visited the International Space Station (ISS) and has safely returned to Earth. Following a successful mission, the Axiom-4 (Ax-4) crew undocked from the ISS and splashed down off the coast of San Diego, California on Monday at 15:01 IST (09:31 GMT).

The Ax-4 mission operated by the Houston-based private company Axiom Space included a four-member crew. Led by former NASA astronaut Peggy Whitson, the crew also comprised members from Poland and Hungary—Slawosz Uznanski-Wisniewski and Tibor Kapu, respectively.

Shubhanshu Shukla, who holds the rank of Group Captain in the Indian Air Force, is only the second Indian to travel to space, following cosmonaut Rakesh Sharma's historic journey in 1984 aboard a Russian Soyuz spacecraft.

The mission is notable for its collaborative nature, involving NASA, the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO), the European Space Agency (ESA), and SpaceX. Upon posting on the social media platform X, the ISS shared that the Ax-4 crew had successfully closed the hatches of their spacecraft before undocking.

The crew was initially supposed to spend two weeks aboard the ISS, but their stay extended by a few days. During this time, they conducted 60 scientific experiments, seven of which were specifically designed by ISRO.

ISRO invested 5 billion rupees (approximately $59 million) to secure a seat for Shukla and to cover his training costs. The organisation stated that the hands-on experience gained during this mission will be invaluable for India's future human spaceflight programmes.

India’s ambitious plans for space exploration include Gaganyaan, the nation's first human spaceflight, expected to launch in 2027. There are further aspirations to establish a space station by 2035 and to send an astronaut to the Moon by 2040. Shukla is among four Indian Air Force officers shortlisted for the Gaganyaan mission.

In a heartfelt farewell from the ISS, Group Captain Shukla remarked on India’s burgeoning space endeavours: "It has been an incredible journey. Even though now it is coming to an end, for you and me, there is a long way to go. The journey of our human space mission is very long and difficult. But if we are determined, even the stars are attainable." He also quoted Rakesh Sharma, expressing that today’s India appears ambitious, fearless, confident, and proud from space.

Shukla was born on 10 October 1985 in the northern city of Lucknow and has been a fighter pilot since joining the Indian Air Force in 2006. With over 2,000 flying hours experience on various aircraft types, Shukla’s journey to space has been described by him as “nothing short of transformative.”

Following their splashdown in the ocean, Axiom Space announced that a rescue vessel would retrieve the crew for their return to land via helicopter.

This historic mission not only showcases India’s growing capabilities in space exploration but also highlights the collaborative spirit among various space agencies worldwide. As India continues to advance in this field, the successful return of Shubhanshu Shukla marks a significant milestone in its journey towards becoming a leading space power.