Shubhanshu Shukla and Axiom-4 Crew Set to Return to Earth on July 14: NASA Confirms

Indian Air Force Group Captain Shubhanshu Shukla, currently aboard the International Space Station (ISS) as part of the Axiom Mission 4 (Ax-4), is scheduled to begin his return journey to Earth on July 14, according to NASA and Axiom Space.

Scheduled Undocking and Splashdown

“The #Ax4 crew is scheduled to undock from the @Space_Station no earlier than Monday, July 14, at 7:05 a.m. ET (4:35 pm IST),” Axiom Space posted on X.

Shukla and fellow astronauts Peggy Whitson, Sławosz Uznański-Wiśniewski, and Tibor Kapu will undock from the Harmony module’s space-facing port aboard the SpaceX Dragon spacecraft. A splashdown in the Pacific Ocean near California is expected a few hours after undocking.

“We are working with the station programme, watching the Axiom-4 progress carefully. I think we need to undock that mission, and the current target to undock is July 14,” said Steve Stitch, Manager of NASA’s Commercial Crew Program.

Shubhanshu Shukla: First Indian on the ISS, Second Indian in Space

Historic Milestone in Indian Human Spaceflight

Group Captain Shukla has made history as the first Indian to visit the International Space Station and the second Indian astronaut in space after Wing Commander Rakesh Sharma, who flew aboard a Soviet mission in 1984.

Shukla’s 14-day space journey is not just symbolic — it is part of India’s efforts to prepare for its Gaganyaan human spaceflight programme.

India-Focused Space Experiments on ISS

Seven Groundbreaking Studies Conducted

During his time aboard the orbital laboratory, Shukla carried out seven India-specific scientific experiments. These included:

• Studying muscle loss in microgravity

• Developing a brain-computer interface

• Sprouting green gram and fenugreek seeds in space

These experiments are considered crucial steps in building scientific expertise for future long-duration missions by Indian astronauts.

Inspiring the Next Generation: Live Interaction with Students

From the ISS to Classrooms in Kerala and Lucknow

Shukla connected with school students in Kerala and Lucknow through live video calls from space. Students were curious about everyday life on the ISS — asking questions like:

• What do astronauts eat?

• How do they sleep?

• What happens if someone falls sick in space?

• What is the benefit of India's space missions?

Describing his experience, Shukla said:

“It is fun actually, because in space there is no floor and no ceiling. So if you were to visit the station, you would find someone sleeping on the walls and someone on the ceiling.”

About the launch, he added:

“It was amazing and dynamic.”

Conclusion

Shubhanshu Shukla’s historic mission aboard the International Space Station (ISS) represents a watershed moment in India’s space exploration timeline.

As the first Indian astronaut to visit the ISS and only the second Indian to travel to space after Rakesh Sharma in 1984, Shukla’s journey signals India’s growing stature in global space endeavors.

His 14-day mission under the Axiom-4 programme was not just a symbolic milestone but a deeply scientific and educational initiative — one that included seven India-specific experiments aimed at advancing research in microgravity, brain-computer interfaces, and plant biology in space. Equally impactful were his interactions with students across India, inspiring the next generation of space scientists and dreamers.

As Shukla and the Ax-4 crew prepare to return aboard the SpaceX Dragon capsule on July 14, their mission reinforces the capabilities of India’s space program and paves the way for ambitious ventures like the Gaganyaan human spaceflight mission. Shukla returns as both a scientist and a national inspiration.