Axiom-4 mission: Shubhanshu Shukla, crew set to return on July 14, says NASA

Astronaut Shubhanshu Shukla, along with three other crew members of the Axiom-4 mission, is scheduled to return to Earth from the International Space Station (ISS) on July 14, NASA announced on Thursday.

Steve Stitch, the Manager of NASA's Commercial Crew Program, stated at a press conference, “We are closely monitoring the Axiom-4 mission's progress in coordination with the station program. Our current target for undocking is July 14.”

The Axiom-4 mission was launched from the Kennedy Space Centre in Florida on June 25. The Dragon spacecraft successfully docked with the International Space Station on June 26 after a journey of approximately 28 hours.

After spending nearly two weeks in orbit, the Axiom Mission 4 team has travelled over six million miles and completed around 230 laps around Earth. The crew includes Commander Peggy Whitson, Pilot Shubhanshu “Shux” Shukla, and Mission Specialists Sławosz “Suave” Uznański-Wiśniewski and Tibor Kapu.

They recently wrapped up their final off-duty day in space. During the break, the crew captured photos and videos of Earth’s surface. They also used the downtime to connect with families back home. These brief pauses gave them time to rest before continuing a full scientific schedule.