Indian astronaut Group Captain Shubhanshu Shukla is set to conclude his historic space mission aboard the International Space Station (ISS) and return to Earth on July 15, 2025. The Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) confirmed that Shukla, alongside crewmates Peggy Whitson, Sławosz Uznański-Wiśniewski, and Tibor Kapu, will depart the space station aboard SpaceX’s Crew Dragon spacecraft, which will undock from the Harmony module on July 14.
Following undocking, the spacecraft will undergo several orbital maneuvers before making a splashdown near the California coastline on July 15 at around 3:00 PM IST. ISRO stated that Shukla is in excellent health and high spirits as he nears the end of this groundbreaking mission.
The 14-day mission marks a milestone in India’s space journey, making Shukla the first Indian to visit the ISS and only the second Indian in space after Wing Commander Rakesh Sharma’s mission in 1984. Shukla’s journey is part of the Axiom-4 mission, reflecting strong collaboration between ISRO, NASA, and the Department of Biotechnology (DBT).
While aboard the ISS, Shukla conducted seven cutting-edge microgravity experiments. Four of them have been successfully completed, while the remaining three are approaching completion. The completed studies include a survival and growth experiment on an Indian strain of tardigrades, research on muscle development in zero gravity, sprouting of fenugreek and green gram seeds to assess space agriculture potential, and growth of cyanobacteria for life-support system insights.
ISRO highlighted that these scientific experiments are crucial for upcoming missions such as Gaganyaan and the future Bhartiya Antariksha Station. The experiments will be brought back to Earth for detailed analysis after landing.
Meanwhile, NASA reported that the Ax-4 crew is finalizing various science experiments aboard the ISS, including testing new spacesuit fabrics, conducting an electrical muscle stimulation study, and filming activities for behavioral health research. Over the weekend, they will begin packing research samples and personal belongings into Dragon for their return journey.
Upon landing, Shukla and the crew will undergo a week-long rehabilitation phase to help them readjust to Earth’s gravity. ISRO assured that its flight surgeons have been monitoring Shukla’s health closely through private medical consultations.
This landmark mission not only advances India’s space science capabilities but also strengthens its role in global human spaceflight initiatives.
