Indian astronaut Shubhanshu Shukla is set to return to Earth on July 15 after an 18-day stay aboard the International Space Station, marking a significant milestone for India’s space ambitions. The splashdown, scheduled off the coast of California, will conclude the commercial Axiom-4 mission, which included astronauts from the United States, Poland, and Hungary.
Shukla will undergo a seven-day rehabilitation program under the supervision of flight surgeons to readjust to Earth’s gravity, the Indian Space Research Organisation said Saturday.
The crew, which includes mission commander Peggy Whitson, Poland’s Slawosz Uznanski-Wisniewski, and Hungary’s Tibor Kapu, first docked at the ISS on June 26. According to NASA, they are expected to undock from the orbiting lab on July 14 at 4:35 PM IST.
Following a series of orbital maneuvers, their Crew Dragon spacecraft will descend through Earth’s atmosphere, slowing down autonomously before making a splashdown on July 15 at around 3 PM IST.
Shukla’s mission carries weight beyond its scientific value. ISRO reportedly paid ₹550 crore for his participation — an investment closely tied to India’s larger human spaceflight plan, Gaganyaan, which is scheduled to launch in 2027.
While on the ISS, Shukla took part in microgravity experiments designed by Indian scientists. These focused on muscle cell behavior, seed germination, and the survival of Tardigrades—tiny organisms known for their toughness.
Four of the seven Indian experiments have been completed, while the remaining three — focused on microalgae, crop seeds, and a display system called Voyager — are nearing completion. The results will be brought back to Earth for further analysis.
The microalgae experiment stands out for its potential. Axiom Space, which organized the mission, said it could one day support food, oxygen, and biofuel production during long-term space travel.
On the operational front, ISRO confirmed that Shukla is in good health and “high spirit,” with medical teams continuously monitoring his condition through private conferences.
Preparations for the return are in progress. The crew is scheduled to start suiting up and running system checks around 2:25 PM IST before boarding Dragon. The spacecraft will carry over 580 pounds of cargo, including research samples and NASA equipment.
In a social media post, Whitson gave a casual glimpse into their final days on the station: “Enjoying our last few days on the @Space_Station with rehydrated shrimp cocktails and good company! #Ax4.”
On Saturday, the crew will wrap up onboard tasks including an electrical muscle stimulation study and tests on thermal comfort fabrics used in exercise suits. Sunday will be spent packing personal belongings and loading science equipment into the return capsule. NASA flight engineer Anne McClain has already begun helping with hardware collection.
For ISRO, this mission isn’t just a chapter — it’s a rehearsal. The experience and data from Ax-4 will feed directly into the planning of India’s upcoming Gaganyaan mission and longer-term goals like the proposed Bhartiya Antariksha Station.
There’s still a lot to unpack once the spacecraft lands. But for now, all eyes are on July 15.
