Shubhanshu Shukla Return Highlights: Astronaut Shubhanshu Shukla and the Axiom-4 crew have splashed down near the coast of California, USA. Notably, Shukla and the Axiom-4 Crew spent 18 days aboard the ISS. Shukla is the second Indian astronaut to visit space after Rakesh Sharma’s historic 1984 odyssey.
Shukla completed all seven experiments
Shubhanshu Shukla, whom the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) referred to as “Gaganyatri”, has completed all seven experiments and activities as part of his expedition.
“Shubhanshu Shukla has successfully completed all seven microgravity experiments and other planned activities, achieving a significant milestone in the mission. Experiments on the Indian strain of Tardigrades, Myogenesis, Sprouting of methi & moong seeds, Cyanobacteria, Microalgae, Crop seeds and Voyoger Display have been completed as planned,” ISRO said in a statement.
Hurtling through space for 22.5 hours
Shukla and three other astronauts boarded the spacecraft around 2:30 pm IST before wearing their spacesuits and carrying out necessary tests before the journey. The ISS orbits Earth at a speed of 28,000 km per hour, and the spacecraft is using an autonomous undocking process to gradually slow down and re-enter the planet’s atmosphere. Dragon performed a series of engine burns to safely distance itself from the ISS after undocking. Final preparations included detaching the capsule’s trunk and orienting the heat shield ahead of atmospheric entry, which will expose the spacecraft to temperatures nearing 1,600 degrees Celsius.
Parachutes will deploy in two stages — first stabilising chutes at about 5.7 km altitude, followed by the main parachutes at roughly two kilometres. Splashdown is expected off the coast of California approximately 22.5 hours after undocking, and the space capsule will be recovered by a specialised ship.
Shubhanshu Shukla Return Live: Astronaut likely to arrive in India by Aug 17
Union minister Jitendra Singh said Group Captain Shubhanshu Shukla is expected to arrive in India by August 17 following a series of post-mission procedures.
"There are certain SOPs to be followed... His rehabilitation, debriefing sessions and a series of discussions with Team ISRO. We might expect him in Delhi by August 17," Singh told PTI.
Shubhanshu Shukla Return Live: What did Axiom 4 mission accomplish?
The Axiom-4 crew conducted 60 scientific experiments during their stay, including seven designed by ISRO along with Indian research institutions and universities. ISRO said the Ax-04 mission will provide valuable inputs for the upcoming Gaganyaan mission and offer hands-on experience in the nuances of international crew integration, medical and psychological preparation, real-time health telemetry, experiment execution and crew–ground coordination.
It said these insights will directly influence mission planning, safety validation and astronaut readiness for India's first indigenous human spaceflight mission.
Shubhanshu Shukla Return Live: Astronauts undergo medical checks, taken ashore for rehabilitation
The Axiom-4 crew were undergoing a medical check-up on board the recovery vehicle before being taken ashore in a helicopter.
The four astronauts are expected to spend seven days in rehabilitation as they adjust back to life on Earth under the influence of gravity, unlike the weightlessness experienced in orbit.
Shubhanshu Shukla Return Live: Rajnath Singh speaks to IAF group captain's father
Defence Minsiter Rajnath Singh spoke with Shubhanshu Shukla's father, Shambhu Dayal Shukla following the IAF Group Captain's return to earth. Singh expressed happiness on his return and told his father that the entire country is proud of him.
"We thank god for the safe landing of Shubhanshu Shukla...Defence Minister Rajnath Singh also blessed Shubhanshu Shukla and extended best wishes to us," his father told ANI.
Shubhanshu Shukla Return Live: Family members jubilant after successful space mission
The family of Group Captain Shubhanshu Shukla broke into celebrations on Tuesday as he emerged from the Dragon spacecraft after a nearly 20 day visit to space.
"I don't have words to express my happiness...PM Modi also congratulated him," his mother Asha Shukla told ANI.
"I am so happy that PM Modi congratulated him. Group Captain Shubhanshu Shukla deserves all the praise...We are very relaxed and happy as he has returned to earth safely," added his sister Shuchi Mishra.
Shubhanshu Shukla Return Live: What comes after exit of astronauts?
The crew members are being extricated from the capsule one by one --- with Peggy Whitson, Shubhanshu Shukla, and Sławosz Uznański-Wiśniewski already outside. They will undergo medical checkups before the recovery vessel ferries them to shore. This process is expected to take about an hour.
Shubhanshu Shukla Return Live: IAF pilot exits spacecraft
The Dragon 'Grace' spacecraft carrying Shukla and three other astronauys made a splashdown off San Diego coast after a 22.5-hour journey from space. NASA retiree turned private astronaut Peggy Whitson was the first to exit the spacecraft after extensive safety checks.
The 65-year-old Whitson had retired from NASA in 2018 after a pioneering career that included becoming the US space agency's first female chief astronaut and the first woman ever to command an ISS expedition. She had led the Axiom 4 crew.
Whitson radioed mission control moments after splashdown that the crew was "happy to be back". A recovery ship was immediately dispatched to secure the capsule and hoist it from the ocean onto the deck of the vessel.
Shubhanshu Shukla Return Live: First glimpse of astronauts after 18 days in space
Astronaut Shubhanshu Shukla has just returned to Earth after an 18-day stay aboard the International Space Station.
Shubhanshu Shukla Return Live: Astronauts to appear within moments
Shubhanshu Shukla Return Live: Dragon spacecraft lifted onto recovery ship
The Dragon spacecraft was just lifted onto the recovery ship Shannon. The astronauts will brought out from the capsule once on board.
Shubhanshu Shukla Return Live: Family of IAF Group Captain turn emotional as Dragon touches down | Watch
Shubhanshu Shukla Return Live: PM Modi shares welcoming message, says Shukla has 'inspired a billion dreams'
"I join the nation in welcoming Group Captain Shubhanshu Shukla as he returns to Earth from his historic mission to Space. As India’s first astronaut to have visited International Space Station, he has inspired a billion dreams through his dedication, courage and pioneering spirit. It marks another milestone towards our own Human Space Flight Mission - Gaganyaan," Prime Minister Narendra Modi wrote on X.
Shubhanshu Shukla Return Live: 'A moment of glory for India'
"Congratulations Team Axiom 4! A moment of pride for the world as “Dragon” successfully splashes down, off the California coast near San Diago. A moment of glory for India as one of her illustrious sons returns from a successful voyage… having conducted for the posterity, life-bearing experiments in microgravity, never done before. Bharat today finds an enduring Space in the world of Space!" Union Minister Jitendra Singh wrote on X.
Shubhanshu Shukla Return Live: What is happening right now?
Speed boats of SpaceX, the transporter for the mission, were jus seen moving towards the spacecraft to bring it to recovery ship Shannon where the astronauts will brought out from the capsule.
The Axiom-4 crew will undergo a series of medical checks on board the ship before boarding a helicopter for a ride back to the shore.
The four astronauts are expected to spend seven days in rehabilitation as they adjust back to life on Earth under the influence of gravity, unlike the weightlessness experienced in orbit.
Shubhanshu Shukla Return Live: Moment when the four main parachutes were deployed for touchdown | Watch
The core communications team has just reached out to the Axiom team with an update about the recovery process. The Dragon spacecraft occupants are now making initial contact with the team on boats.
Shubhanshu Shukla Return Live: Boats approach spacecraft for safety checks
Parachutes were cut immediately as Dragon Grace splashed down. Fast boats have now approached to conduct safety checks before the recovery process begins.
Shubhanshu Shukla Return Live: 'Welcome home'
"Happy to be back," the Axiom crew responded moments after touching down on earth.
Shubhanshu Shukla Return Live: Splashdown! Dragon spacecraft has reached earth
The Axiom crew has just splashed down off the coast off San Diego after a 22.5 hour flight from the International Space Station.
Shubhanshu Shukla Return Live: Axiom team now 800 metres away from earth
According to an update from the crew, the Dragon spacecraft is now about 800 metres away from the ground.
Shubhanshu Shukla Return Live: Parachutes deployed, landing in 3 minutes
The Axiom 4 crew has confirmed the deployment of parachutes. Their seats have also been reclined and landing is likely within three minutes.
Shubhanshu Shukla Return Live: Dragon Grace responds to communications check after blackout
The blackout phase appears to have ended with the Axiom crew finally responding to a communications check. They are expected to land within five minutes.
Shubhanshu Shukla Return Live: Watch re-entry and splashdown live
Shubhanshu Shukla Return Live: Final blackout period now underway
Dragon is currently in the second half of its re-entry and amidst a brief 'blackout period'. There is no update likely for a few minutes as this phase continues.
According to updates shared online by SpaceX, splashdown is likely to happen in approximately 15 minutes.
"Dragon spacecraft's nosecone is closed and secured for re-entry, splashdown at 3:01 pm IST," SpaceX confirmed.
Shubhanshu Shukla Return Live: 'Vehicle healthy, weather good'
Final briefing before reentering the orbit. "Vehicle is healthy, weather is looking good," reports Dragon capsule. This was the last briefing before entering the Earth's environment. Everything is a go for the splashdown.
Shubhanshu Shukla Return Live: Where is Dragon capsule currently?
The image below shows the current position of the Dragon capsule in the outer space. It also shows the countdown to splashdown.
Shubhanshu Shukla Return Live: Latest update comes from SpaceX
"Trunk has been jettisoned," announces SpaceX.
Dragon’s deorbit burn is complete and the trunk has been jettisoned
— SpaceX (@SpaceX) July 15, 2025
Shubhanshu Shukla Return Live: Space haircut!
"See you soon Ax-4! Wishing you a soft landing!"
See you soon Ax-4! Wishing you a soft landing! pic.twitter.com/qgsJQo2CRM
— Nichole “Vapor” Ayers (@Astro_Ayers) July 14, 2025