After spending 20 days in orbit, Indian Air Force officer Shubhanshu Shukla has begun readjusting to life on Earth. He returned safely after a successful splashdown near San Diego on Tuesday at 3:01 pm IST.
Shukla, one of the Axiom-4 crew, was aboard the International Space Station (ISS) for almost three weeks, and the microgravity research and global cooperation roughly took 19 days. Having returned to Earth, he is now experiencing the universal but challenging effects of re-entry.
Earth Adjustment Following Microgravity
In an Instagram video, Shukla pointed out how his body is adapting to the transition from space back to Earth. He mentioned that even tasks as simple as walking in a straight line or balancing become challenging on a temporary basis after coming back from microgravity.
He described how space impacts the body: fluids move, heart rate decreases, muscles lose strength, and the inner sense of balance system adapts to the new place. Once back on Earth, the body has to readapt to gravity—a process that varies for each astronaut but begins quickly.
Message of Gratitude and Self-Discovery
Shukla thanked everyone for their messages and good wishes, assuring them that recovery is underway. “The body is incredible,” he said. “It surprises you with how fast it can adjust.”
Reflecting on the journey, he added, “In the pursuit of the unknown, you get to know more about yourself.” His experience is a reminder that space exploration tests not only science but also the limits of human resilience.
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