Shubhanshu Shukla return live: Ax-4 crew successfully undocks from ISS; journey to Earth begins — Check live updates here

After spending nearly 18 days aboard the International Space Station (ISS), Group Captain Shubhanshu Shukla and the Axiom Mission 4 (Ax-4) team undocked and began their return to Earth. The departure process was underway, with live coverage streamed on NASA+, NASA's official website and social media handles, as well as Axiom Space and SpaceX.

Shubhanshu Shukla’s ISS Undocking and Splashdown: Live Updates

According to NASA, departure operations began today, 14 July, with the hatch closed and undocking successfully completed. Indian Air Force Group Captain Shubhanshu Shukla and three fellow astronauts from the Axiom-4 mission entered the SpaceX Dragon spacecraft at around 2:25 PM IST to begin their journey back to Earth.

The undocking was completed at around 4:45 PM IST. The return journey will take approximately 22.5 hours. The capsule, named Grace, is expected to splash down at 3:00 PM IST on Tuesday, 15 July, in the Pacific Ocean, off the coast of California.

• Dragon crosses 'keep-out sphere': The SpaceX Dragon spacecraft, carrying Shubhanshu Shukla and three fellow astronauts, has moved beyond the International Space Station’s 'keep-out sphere'—a 200-meter safety boundary around the orbiting laboratory.


• Shubhanshu Shukla successfully undocks from the ISS: The Dragon spacecraft carrying the Axiom-4 crew successfully undocked from the International Space Station at 4:45 PM IST and began its departure. The spacecraft will now perform a series of departure burns to distance itself from the station. It is expected to re-enter Earth’s atmosphere and splash down in approximately 22.5 hours off the coast of California.

• Shubhanshu Shukla Enters Dragon Spacecraft: The hatch of SpaceX's Dragon spacecraft Grace was sealed and the indicator aligned at around 2:30 PM IST, marking the final steps in undocking the Axiom-4 crew from the International Space Station after nearly 20 days in orbit.


• Shubhanshu Shukla's family prays for his return: As the Axiom-4 crew prepares to undock from the ISS, Shubhanshu Shukla’s family in Lucknow is filled with emotion and anticipation. Speaking to ANI, his mother, Asha Shukla, said they visited the temple early and prayed to Lord Shiva for his safe return. “If we had our way, we’d meet him there,” she said. His sister, Shuchi Mishra, said it felt just like the day he left for space. “We prayed every day and gave thanks. He sounded very happy when we spoke. As a pilot and now astronaut, he’s surely seen India in a new light,” she added.


• Shubhanshu Shukla’s Final Photo Session Before Leaving ISS: Before heading home, the Axiom Mission 4 crew took time for one final photo session aboard the ISS. Group Captain Shubhanshu Shukla joined astronauts from the United States, Japan, Hungary, and Poland, all dressed in flight suits, smiling together for the camera. NASA astronaut Jonny Kim shared the images online, noting they used a wall-mounted tripod and time-lapse camera. “We don’t wear flight suits often, but when we do, we make the most of it,” he wrote. The photos included members of both Axiom Mission 4 and Expedition 73, capturing a powerful moment of unity and international collaboration just before their return to Earth.

• Shubhanshu Shukla's farewell speech before leaving the ISS: Group Captain Shubhanshu Shukla, the first Indian astronaut to visit the ISS, delivered a heartfelt farewell before undocking. Calling the Axiom-4 mission “incredible,” he credited the dedicated team behind it. Speaking in Hindi, he reminded Indians that while his journey ends, India’s space dream continues. “Aapki aur meri yatra abhi bahut lambi hai,” he said. Echoing Rakesh Sharma, he added, “Aaj ka Bharat space se mahatvakanshi, nidar, confident, aur garv se poorn dikhta hai… abhi bhi saare jahaan se achha dikhta hai.” His message captured the pride, ambition, and future of India’s growing space journey.


• Union Minister Jitendra Singh speaks on Shukla's space visit: Union Minister Jitendra Singh said the space experiments conducted by Group Captain Shubhanshu Shukla aboard the ISS will benefit countries across the globe. Speaking ahead of Shukla’s return, Singh noted that the experiments and kits used during the Axiom-4 mission were developed indigenously. “These experiments, carried out for the first time by an Indian for the world, were never imagined before,” he told ANI. Singh emphasised that India’s initiative in this mission marks a significant step in global scientific contribution.


• The teams held a weather briefing: Teams have completed a weather briefing. Conditions remain favourable at the splashdown site off California’s coast, ensuring a smooth return for the Ax-4 crew aboard the Dragon spacecraft.


• Shubhanshu Shukla on Microgravity: Axiom Space shared a mission update from Pilot Shubhanshu Shukla and Commander Peggy Whitson showing how exercising in microgravity is both essential and challenging, making workouts truly out of this world.

• The Dragon capsule will carry over 580 pounds of hardware and scientific data collected during the mission. NASA confirmed that the crew completed more than 60 experiments aboard the space station.

Before leaving the ISS, Shubhanshu Shukla delivered a heartfelt speech, echoing the legacy of Rakesh Sharma. “Aaj ka Bharat abhi bhi saare jahaan se acha dikhta hai,” he said, sharing his pride in representing India in space.

He added, “Today’s India looks ambitious, fearless, and full of pride. From here, India looks confident, and that fills me with hope.”