**Group Captain Shubhanshu Shukla's mission, Ax-4, marks a significant milestone in India's space exploration efforts as he prepares for splashdown after an extraordinary stay at the International Space Station.**
**Historic Return: First Indian Astronaut's Journey Comes to an End**
**Historic Return: First Indian Astronaut's Journey Comes to an End**
**Shubhanshu Shukla makes history as first Indian to reach ISS and returns to Earth after a groundbreaking mission.**
Astronaut Shubhanshu Shukla, the first Indian to set foot on the International Space Station (ISS), is on his way back to Earth after an extraordinary mission. The Axiom-4 (Ax-4) mission, consisting of four crew members, undocked from the ISS on Monday and is expected to splash down off California's coast within the next 24 hours. Led by former NASA astronaut Peggy Whitson, the crew includes astronaut Shukla, Slawosz Uznanski-Wisniewski from Poland, and Tibor Kapu from Hungary.
Group Captain Shukla is the second Indian to venture into space, following the legendary astronaut Rakesh Sharma, who made history 41 years ago. This commercial space flight, operated by the Houston-based Axiom Space, is a result of collaboration among NASA, the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO), the European Space Agency (ESA), and SpaceX.
As the craft departed the ISS, a live broadcast captured the moment, sharing the crew's anticipation for their return. According to the scheduled timings from Indian Science Minister Jitendra Singh, Shukla's team is expected to land around 15:00 IST on July 15.
In an emotional farewell from the ISS, Shukla reflected on India's burgeoning presence in space exploration. "This has been an incredible journey, and while it may be ending for me, our journey in human spaceflight in India has just begun," he remarked, demonstrating optimism for the nation's future endeavors.
The crew's mission extended beyond leisure; they conducted approximately 60 scientific experiments during their stay, including several in partnership with ISRO. The Indian agency has invested significantly in Shukla's training and seat on Ax-4, considering it crucial experience for India's upcoming Gaganyaan mission, which aims to send astronauts into space in 2027. Furthermore, ISRO has ambitious plans for a space station by 2035 and manned lunar missions by 2040.
Group Captain Shukla, a skilled fighter pilot with more than 2,000 hours of flying experience, described the year leading up to his flight as "transformative," highlighting his emotional connection to the mission. "I carry the hopes and dreams of a billion hearts," he stated prior to launch, calling for support from the Indian public for the success of their mission.
