Indian Astronaut Shubhanshu Shukla Returns Home
Indian astronaut Shubhanshu Shukla is set to land in India on Sunday, returning home after his historic 18-day mission aboard the International Space Station (ISS). His arrival is highly anticipated, as the nation prepares to celebrate his journey and he gets ready to share his unique experiences with the country.
Packed Schedule Awaits
After spending the past year in the United States for training and the mission itself, Shukla has a busy schedule ahead. He is expected to meet with Prime Minister Narendra Modi shortly after his return and will also travel to his hometown of Lucknow. Later in the month, he is scheduled to participate in the National Space Day celebrations in New Delhi.
In an emotional social media post before his departure from the US, Shukla shared his mixed feelings. He expressed sadness about leaving the team that became his family but also excitement about reuniting with friends and family in India. He referenced a song from the Bollywood movie 'Swades', which was on his pre-flight playlist, capturing the feeling of his journey home.
Historic Mission and Future Plans
Shukla was a key member of the Axiom-4 private space mission, which launched from Florida on June 25. During his time on the ISS, he and his three international crewmates conducted over 60 scientific experiments. His return is a significant moment for India's own space ambitions. As the country prepares for its maiden human spaceflight mission in 2027 and develops its own space station, Shukla's experience will be invaluable.
