The SpaceX Dragon spacecraft carrying Indian astronaut Group Captain Shubhanshu Shukla and three other Axiom-4 (Ax-4) crew members successfully splashed down in the Pacific Ocean near California on July 15. The spacecraft landed at 3:01 PM IST, ending their 18-day space journey.
Immediately after splashdown, rescue boats reached the capsule. Medical teams checked the astronauts’ health on the spot. Now, the crew will start adjusting to Earth’s gravity over the next few days.
As Shukla stepped out of the spacecraft, he smiled and waved at the cameras. He received support while standing, as his body readapted to Earth’s conditions. His return marked a historic moment for India, as he became the first Indian astronaut to visit the International Space Station (ISS).
Dragon’s four main parachutes have deployed pic.twitter.com/oGfRfqCymB
— SpaceX (@SpaceX) July 15, 2025
Ax-4 Mission Completes Successful Research
During their stay in space, the Ax-4 crew spent over two weeks conducting important research. In total, they completed more than 60 experiments. These focused on agriculture, medicine, water systems, and human health in microgravity.
The spacecraft undocked from the ISS on July 14 at 4:50 PM IST. It took around 22.5 hours to return to Earth. Shukla piloted the spacecraft, while Commander Peggy Whitson led the crew. NASA confirmed the safe return of the spacecraft, named Grace.
Notably, this was Axiom’s fourth human spaceflight and SpaceX’s 18th since 2020.
Prime Minister Praises Shukla
After the landing, Prime Minister Narendra Modi shared a message on X. He wrote, “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.”
Modi further said, “It marks another milestone towards our own Human Space Flight Mission — Gaganyaan.”
Major Step Towards Gaganyaan Mission
Shukla’s space journey is a big step towards India’s own human spaceflight program, Gaganyaan. ISRO plans to launch this mission in 2027.
Interestingly, astronauts from Poland and Hungary also joined Shukla on the Ax-4 mission. Slawosz Uznanski-Wisniewski and Tibor Kapu represented their countries.
Earlier this year, Indian-origin astronaut Sunita Williams and NASA astronaut Butch Wilmore returned from space using another SpaceX capsule called Freedom. Like Shukla’s crew, they also landed safely after their mission.
In conclusion, Shukla’s mission highlights India’s growing space ambitions. His success is expected to inspire the next generation of space explorers.