Shubhanshu Shukla returns from space as SpaceX Dragon splashed down in the Pacific, Safely

By R Anil Kumar

• Shubhanshu Shukla-piloted SpaceX Dragon makes successful splashdown

• Group Captain Shubhanshu Shukla and his crew return to Earth after an 18-day mission aboard the International Space Station

Bengaluru/ San Diego, July 15. Gp Capt Shubhanshu Shukla along with three other crew members returned to Earth after an 18-day mission on the International Space Station.

SpaceX Dragon spacecraft carrying astronaut Shubhanshu Shukla returned to Earth on Tuesday, July 15, 2025, 2.30 am Pacific Time (3.01 PM IST), marking the completion of the 39-year-old Indian Air Force officer and test pilot’s first spaceflight during the Axiom-4 mission, a commercial spaceflight supported by ISRO and NASA, operated by Axiom Space, it was officially stated.

The Ax-4 crew, comprising Commander Peggy Whitson, Pilot Shubhanshu Shukla of ISRO, European Space Agency (ESA) project astronaut Slawosz “Suave” Uznanski-Wisniewski of Poland, and HUNOR astronaut Tibor Kapu, had been actively engaged in research and outreach activities aboard the ISS as part of the mission during the past 18-days.

Gp Capt Shukla successfully piloted his Axiom Mission 4 (Ax-4) crew members back to Earth as they splashed down off the coast of San Diego at 3.01 p.m. IST (2:31 a.m. P.T). The crew had departed from the orbiting laboratory on Tuesday (July 14, 2025) onboard the SpaceX Dragon.

“Splashdown of Dragon confirmed – welcome back to Earth, @AstroPeggy, Shux, @astro_slawosz, and Tibi!,” SpaceX posted.

The journey back to Earth took about 22.5 hours.

Astranaout  Shukla will now undergo a seven-day rehabilitation programme.

Ax-4 crew egress from Dragon spaceship

The Ax-4 mission crew egress from the Dragon, Ax-4 mission Commander Peggy Whitson was the first to emerge followed by Gp Capt Shukla, Mission Specialist Sławosz Uznański-Wiśniewski of Poland, and Mission Specialist Tibor Kapu of Hungary.

This achievement is a stepping stone for India’s future crewed space journeys.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi congratulated Axiom and Gp Capt Shukla over their successful SpaceX Dragon mission.

“We congratulate Axiom and Gp Capt Shukla on completing a successful mission. This achievement is a stepping stone for India’s future crewed space journeys, including the Gaganyaan mission and our ambitious goal of landing an Indian on the Moon by 2040 in an Indian spacecraft.”

It will not only support ISRO but also give impetus to both global and Indian private space industries. This success marks a significant stride towards realizing India’s vision for outer space exploration, PM Modi stated.

I join the nation in welcoming Gp Capt Shukla as he returns to Earth, PM Modi, said.

The four astronauts flew to the space station on the Dragon after it was launched by the Falcon 9 from the Kennedy Space Center in Florida on June 25, 2025.

ISRO says astronaut Subhanshu Shukla’s space mission will boost India’s Gaganyaan project

Indian astronaut Subhanshu Shukla’s 15-day mission in space will play a crucial role in India’s first manned spaceflight under the Gaganyaan programme, the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) said.

Shukla became the first Indian in 41 years to travel to space where he undertook scientific experiments aboard the International Space Station (ISS).

“This has been an unforgettable experience for him (Subhanshu Shukla). He carried out multiple experiments aboard the Space Shuttle and the International Space Station. After experiencing space and microgravity, he conducted several scientific tests. This mission has been a major learning opportunity for us.”

ISRO took up this mission to gather experience that will help us in our Gaganyaan programme. The Gaganyaan mission will begin with an unmanned flight later this year.