“Feels like launch day again”: Shubhanshu Shukla's family prays for his return as Axiom-4 undocking nears

Shubhanshu Shukla's family prays for his return (Image: ANI)

As the Axiom-4 crew gets ready to undock from the International Space Station on 14 July, Indian Air Force Group Captain Shubhanshu Shukla’s family in Lucknow is eagerly awaiting his return. The mission, which lasted 18 days, will conclude with a splashdown in the Pacific Ocean off California’s coast around 3:00 PM IST on 15 July.

Shubhanshu Shukla's Family Offers Prayers Ahead of Homecoming

Shukla and the Axiom-4 crew are set to undock from the International Space Station today, 14 July, at around 4:35 PM IST. Their return journey will end with a planned splashdown in the Pacific Ocean, off California’s coast, at 3:00 PM IST on 15 July.

Speaking to ANI, his mother, Asha Shukla, shared her hopes. “If we had our way, we’d meet him there,” she said. “Today is special for Lord Shiva. We visited the temple early this morning. We performed abhishek and prayed for his safe return.”

His sister, Shuchi Mishra, echoed similar emotions. “It feels like the day he left for space,” she said. “We prayed every day and gave thanks. When we spoke with him, he sounded so happy. Being a pilot and now an astronaut, he must have seen India from a new light. Truly, Saare Jahan Se Accha Hindustan Hamara.”

Shukla's Stirring Farewell from Space

On Sunday, a farewell ceremony was held aboard the ISS. Group Captain Shukla addressed the world in Hindi, quoting Rakesh Sharma’s iconic words: “Aaj ka Bharat abhi bhi saare jahaan se acha dikhta hai.”

He expanded on the sentiment, describing today’s India from space. “Aaj ka Bharat space se mahatvakaanshi dikhta hai, aaj ka Bharat nidar dikhta hai, aaj ka Bharat confident dikhta hai, aaj ka Bharat garv se poorn dikhta hai,” he said.

Shukla also thanked ISRO, NASA, SpaceX, and Axiom Space for their support. He praised the opportunity to work alongside astronauts from across the globe, describing it as a proud and unforgettable experience.

Ax-4 Mission Highlights Global Cooperation

The Ax-4 crew includes Commander Peggy Whitson, Pilot Shubhanshu Shukla from ISRO, ESA astronaut Slawosz “Suave” Uznanski-Wisniewski from Poland, and HUNOR astronaut Tibor Kapu from Hungary.

During their mission, they conducted a series of scientific studies and outreach tasks aboard the ISS. The crew launched on 25 June and docked successfully on 26 June with the station’s Harmony module.

As the clock counts down to their return, one family in Lucknow—and many others across the world—awaits with hope and pride.