Indian Air Force pilot Group Captain Shubhanshu Shukla and the first ISRO astronaut to visit the ISS, returned to Earth on July 15, 2025, concluding an 18‑day stay in orbit (part of a 20‑day mission including travel) as part of Axiom Mission 4. He splashed down off the California coast aboard SpaceX’s Crew Dragon “Grace” and landed on Earth roughly 20 hours after undocking on July 14. On July 16, the Union Cabinet of India passed a resolution lauding his safe return, calling the mission a “beacon for youth” and a milestone for human spaceflight in India.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi praised Shukla for inspiring “a billion dreams” and said the mission advances the national goals of Gaganyaan and India’s future human space capabilities. Union Minister Jitendra Singh emphasized India’s secure place in the global space community.
Shukla performed around 60 experiments, including 7 designated by ISRO—promoting research on muscle health, microbial growth, crop viability and more—supporting India’s future Gaganyaan and Indian space station goals. The investment in his mission (seat cost ≈₹5 00–65 cr; total ISRO sponsorship ≈₹548 cr) is viewed as a strategic step toward independence in crewed spaceflight.
