Indian Astronaut Shubhamshu Begins Return Journey from Space; To Splashdown Tomorrow at 3 PM After 23-Hour Voyage

Cape Canaveral, Florida, July 14 – Indian Air Force Group Captain Shubhamshu Shukla has begun his journey back to Earth after completing a historic 17-day space mission aboard the International Space Station (ISS). He, along with three other astronauts, undocked from the ISS today at 4:45 PM IST, and their spacecraft is expected to splash down in the Pacific Ocean near the California coast tomorrow, July 15, at around 3 PM IST.

This mission marks a major milestone, as Shukla is the first Indian astronaut to go to space in 41 years, since Rakesh Sharma's flight aboard a Soviet spacecraft in 1984. His mission is expected to contribute significantly to India’s upcoming human spaceflight program, Gaganyaan, scheduled for launch in 2027.

Mission Highlights:

• Launch and Docking: Shubhamshu and the crew lifted off on June 25 from the Kennedy Space Center aboard a SpaceX Falcon-9 rocket carrying the Dragon capsule, under Axiom Mission 4. They reached the ISS on June 26 at 4:01 PM IST.

• Return Timeline:

  • July 14, 2:15 PM IST: The crew boarded the Crew Dragon spacecraft.

  • July 14, 4:45 PM IST: The spacecraft undocked from the ISS’s Harmony module.

  • July 15, ~3:00 PM IST: Splashdown expected off the California coast.

The spacecraft is returning with over 263 kg of cargo, including NASA hardware and data from over 60 scientific experiments, making it a significant mission for global space research.

Scientific Contributions and Engagements:

• Over 60 Experiments: Shukla participated in more than 60 experiments, including seven from India. These included growing fenugreek (methi) and moong seeds in microgravity, conducting bone health studies, and participating in the "Space Microalgae" project.

• Interaction with PM Modi: On June 28, he interacted live via video conference with Prime Minister Narendra Modi from the ISS. When asked about Indian food in space, Shukla humorously replied that he had brought carrot halwa (gajar ka halwa) and shared it with fellow crew members.

• STEM Outreach: On July 3, 4, and 8, he interacted with over 500 students from Thiruvananthapuram, Bengaluru, and Lucknow via ham radio to promote interest in STEM fields.

• ISRO Collaboration: On July 6, he held discussions with ISRO Chairman Dr. V. Narayanan and senior officials about India’s Gaganyaan mission and shared insights from his space research.

• Earth Photography: Shukla captured stunning images of Earth from the Cupola module of the ISS, known for its seven large windows offering panoramic views.

About the ISS and the Significance of the Mission:

The International Space Station is a massive orbiting laboratory that circles Earth every 90 minutes at a speed of 28,000 km/h. Built collaboratively by five major space agencies, it serves as a platform for long-duration missions, microgravity experiments, and international cooperation in space exploration.

Shubhamshu Shukla's journey is not only a proud moment for India but also a stepping stone toward the country's ambition to become a major player in human spaceflight. His experience and contributions will play a crucial role in shaping the Gaganyaan mission and inspiring the next generation of Indian scientists and explorers.