Indian Astronaut Shubhanshu Shukla Begins Journey Home from ISS
After making history as the first Indian to visit the International Space Station (ISS), Group Captain Shubhanshu Shukla has begun his nearly 22-hour journey back to Earth. The SpaceX Dragon spacecraft, carrying Shukla and his three Axiom-4 (Ax-4) crewmates, successfully undocked from the orbiting laboratory at 4:35 p.m. IST on Monday, marking the conclusion of their successful 18-day mission.
The departure was preceded by a heartfelt farewell ceremony, where Shukla shared a powerful message reflecting on his experience. "Today’s India looks ambitious from space, fearless, confident, and full of pride," he said, echoing the sentiment of India's first astronaut, Rakesh Sharma, by adding that India still looks "saare jahan se accha" (the best in the world).
Mission of Scientific Discovery
During his time aboard the station, Shukla was deeply involved in a rigorous schedule of scientific research. He participated in over 60 experiments that contributed to international knowledge in fields ranging from biology and materials science to artificial intelligence.
Among his key projects was the “Sprouts Project,” an experiment focused on studying plant growth in microgravity. This research is a critical step toward developing sustainable food sources for future long-duration space missions. He also contributed to studies on human cellular adaptation to the space environment and tested AI-assisted robotics designed to assist with station maintenance. The findings from these experiments are expected to have valuable applications on Earth, particularly in agriculture, healthcare, and advanced manufacturing.
Return and Recovery
The journey home will see the Dragon capsule orbit the Earth several times as it gradually lowers its altitude. The crew will monitor the spacecraft's systems and prepare for a fiery but safe re-entry through the atmosphere. The capsule is scheduled to splash down in the Pacific Ocean off the coast of California at approximately 3:00 p.m. IST on Tuesday, where recovery teams will be on standby.
Upon their return, Shukla and his crewmates will undergo a comprehensive, week-long rehabilitation program. This process is essential to help the astronauts safely re-adapt to Earth's gravity after an extended period in a microgravity environment, which can affect muscle mass, bone density, and balance.
Shukla’s successful mission is a significant milestone for India’s space program, providing invaluable experience and data as the nation prepares for its ambitious Gaganyaan human spaceflight mission.
Image Source: Amar Ujala
