Indian astronaut Shubhanshu Shukla, who recently completed his historic journey to the International Space Station (ISS) as part of the Axiom-4 private space mission, is scheduled to return to India on Sunday. After spending over a year in the United States training and preparing for the mission, Shukla expressed his excitement to be back home and share his experiences. The astronaut has also planned to meet Prime Minister Narendra Modi, visit his hometown Lucknow, and later take part in the National Space Day celebrations in New Delhi on August 22-23. His journey marks a significant step for India as the country gears up for its first-ever human spaceflight mission in 2027.
In a heartfelt Instagram post, Shukla shared his mixed emotions while returning from the US, recalling the strong friendships he built during his mission training. He noted the difficulty of saying goodbye but expressed immense joy about reuniting with his friends, family, and fellow countrymen. Reflecting on the life lessons he gathered in space, Shukla quoted his commander Peggy Whitson’s words, “the only constant in spaceflight is change,” and also remembered the Bollywood song “Yun Hi Chala Chal Rahi” from Swades, which inspired him before his space journey. His sentiments reveal both the challenges and rewards of his extraordinary mission, which tested endurance, knowledge, and resilience while symbolizing India’s growing role in global space exploration.
Shukla’s mission began on June 25, when the Axiom-4 crew launched from Florida and docked with the ISS a day later. Alongside international astronauts Peggy Whitson (US), Slawosz Uznanski-Wisniewski (Poland), and Tibor Kapu (Hungary), Shukla participated in more than 60 experiments and 20 outreach sessions, significantly contributing to scientific advancements. He returned to Earth on July 15 and continued engaging with the Indian community abroad, including attending the Independence Day celebrations at the Indian Consulate in Houston. His successful mission has been recognized by Prime Minister Modi, who lauded him during his Independence Day address at the Red Fort, underscoring India’s commitment to building its own space station and expanding its presence in space exploration.
