Shubhanshu Shukla Returns to Earth Highlights: Axiom-4 crew successfully splashes down; here's first glimpse of astronauts

Axiom-4 Return Live: See the First Glimpse of All Axiom-4 Crew Members After Emerging from the Dragon Capsule

Group Captain Shubhanshu Shukla returned safely to Earth with Axiom-4 crewmates Peggy Whitson, Slawosz Uznanski, and Tibor Kapu. Here are the first glimpses of unforgettable moments from their splashdown, marking the end of their successful mission aboard the International Space Station.

See the First Glimpse of All Axiom-4 Crew Members: 10 Epic Moments as Shubhanshu Shukla and Axiom-4 Crew Return to Earth

Axiom-4 Return Live: “Felt Amazing… Proud of Him,” Says Shubhanshu Shukla’s Father after his safe splashdown

As Group Captain Shubhanshu Shukla returned safely to Earth after his 18-day stay aboard the International Space Station, his father, Shambhu Dayal Shukla, shared his joy and gratitude. Speaking to PTI, he said, “It felt amazing to know that Shubhanshu’s mission was a success and he landed safely. We are extremely proud of him. I thank God for this moment.”

Axiom-4 Return Live: Shubhanshu Shukla's stepped out of SpaceX Dragon capsule

Shukla, along with Commander Peggy Whitson, ESA astronaut Slawosz Uznanski, and Hungarian astronaut Tibor Kapu, stepped out of the capsule to cheers and celebration from the recovery crew. This moment marked the culmination of nearly 20 days in space and a significant milestone in India’s space journey.

Images of Shukla emerging from the Dragon capsule were shared shortly after splashdown, capturing his calm and collected demeanour after a historic voyage. The spacecraft’s re-entry was carefully timed and executed following a series of departure manoeuvres, a deorbit burn, and a fiery descent through Earth's atmosphere, protected by its advanced heat shield.

Watch video here: Shubhanshu Shukla's first glimpse after emerging from SpaceX Dragon capsule

Axiom-4 Return Live: Group Captain Shubhanshu Shukla to return to India on August 17

Group Captain Shubhanshu Shukla, who recently made history as the first Indian astronaut to visit the International Space Station, is scheduled to return to India on August 17. After completing a successful 18-day mission aboard the ISS as part of Axiom Mission 4, Shukla safely splashed down off the coast of California on July 15. His return to India will mark the final leg of a journey that has inspired the nation and strengthened India’s ambitions in human spaceflight.

Axiom-4 Return Live: PM Modi hails Astronaut Shubhanshu Shukla safe return after historic space mission

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Monday hailed the safe return of Group Captain Shubhanshu Shukla from space, calling it a proud moment for the entire nation. In a post on X, PM Modi said Shukla's journey has inspired a billion dreams and brought India closer to its own human spaceflight mission, Gaganyaan.

“I join the nation in welcoming Group Captain Shubhanshu Shukla as he returns to Earth from his historic mission to space,” the prime minister wrote. “As India’s first astronaut to have visited the International Space Station, he has inspired a billion dreams through his dedication, courage and pioneering spirit.”

PM Modi added that Shukla’s achievement marks a key milestone on the path to India’s upcoming Gaganyaan mission, which aims to send Indian astronauts into low-Earth orbit.

Axiom-4 Return Live: Dragon successfully splashes down off California coast

The SpaceX Dragon spacecraft carrying the Axiom Mission 4 crew splashed down safely off the coast of San Diego, California, at around 3:01 PM IST on Tuesday. Group Captain Shubhanshu Shukla, India’s first astronaut to visit the ISS in over four decades, was among the four-member crew returning from space.

Watch video here: Shubhanshu Shukla aboard Dragon spacecraft safely splashes down off California coast

Axiom-4 Return Live: Dragon’s nosecone is closed and secured for reentry

Dragon’s nosecone is closed and secured for reentry. Splashdown in few minutes

Axiom-4 Return Live: Deorbit burn complete for Dragon spaceflight carrying Shubhanshu Shukla

Dragon’s deorbit burn is complete, and the trunk has been jettisoned, SpaceX has confirmed

Axiom-4 Return Live: The mission of Shubhanshu Shukla and the Ax-4 crew marks Dragon’s second human spaceflight

The Axiom-4 mission marks Dragon’s second human spaceflight to splash down off the coast of California. The previous return took place in April, when Fram2 brought Dragon recovery operations back to the US West Coast.

Axiom-4 Return Live: Astronaut Shubhanshu Shukla gets a haircut in space

Indian astronaut Group Captain Shubhanshu Shukla has become the first Indian to receive a haircut in microgravity while aboard the International Space Station during the Axiom Mission-4. The moment, shared by American astronaut Nichole Ayers, has gone viral.

See the viral pictures here: Astronaut Shubhanshu Shukla gets a haircut in space

Axiom-4 Return Live: Shubhanshu Shukla’s space journey will strengthen India’s Gaganyaan programme, says ISRO

Indian astronaut Subhanshu Shukla’s 15-day mission aboard the ISS will significantly aid India’s upcoming Gaganyaan programme, ISRO said. Shukla, the first Indian in 41 years to travel to space, conducted multiple scientific experiments during the Axiom-4 mission. ISRO Director Nilesh M Desai confirmed the ₹600 crore mission provided vital insights, with two astronauts trained—Shukla flying and Prashant Nair as backup. The experience, gained through collaboration with NASA and SpaceX, will help prepare for future unmanned and crewed Gaganyaan missions. Shukla's return is expected at 3 PM IST after undocking on Monday morning.

Axiom-4 Return Live: Shubhanshu Shukla’s home in Lucknow is decorated with lights to celebrate his return

Group Captain Shukla’s residence is being adorned with lights and posters to celebrate his return to Earth today.

Axiom-4 Return Live: Astronaut Shubhanshu Shukla’s joyful zero-gravity water tricks video goes viral

Floating in zero gravity with a glowing orb of water, Group Captain Shubhanshu Shukla offered a magical farewell on Day 19 of his Axiom-4 mission aboard the International Space Station. As the crew prepared for undocking, Shukla playfully dubbed himself a “water bender” during a live interaction, gently floating a perfect sphere of water midair while smiling at the camera.

“It has been very exciting,” he said, reflecting on his time filled with experiments and moments of wonder. “Whenever I had downtime, I looked out the window and took pictures.”

Watch the video here: ‘I am a water bender’: Astronaut Shubhanshu Shukla’s zero-gravity water tricks stun the internet—Watch video here

Axiom-4 Return Live: ‘The nation eagerly awaits your return,’ says Union Minister Jitendra Singh on Shubhanshu Shukla’s homecoming

“Welcome back, Shubhanshu! As you begin your return journey following the successful undocking of Axiom-4, the entire nation eagerly awaits your arrival,” Union Minister Jitendra Singh tweeted.

Axiom-4 Return Live: "Excited that our son is returning and landing on Earth," says Shubhanshu Shukla's father on the splashdown of the Dragon spacecraft

As Group Captain Shubhanshu Shukla prepares to return to Earth today after spending nearly 20 days in space, including 19 aboard the ISS as part of Axiom Mission 4, his family in Lucknow is overwhelmed with pride and emotion, calling it a proud moment for the nation.

Speaking to ANI, his father, Shambhu Dayal Shukla, said, “He is our son, but now he belongs to the nation. It is a historic moment.” The family offered prayers at a temple, hoping for his safe return and expressing gratitude for the nation’s support and well wishes.

Axiom-4 Return Live: India’s first ISS mission nears completion as Shubhanshu Shukla begins return journey

After a year of intense training and an 18-day stay aboard the International Space Station (ISS), India’s first crewed mission to the ISS is nearing completion. Backed by a ₹550 crore investment from ISRO, the mission marks a significant step in India's space ambitions.

On Monday at 4:45 PM IST, SpaceX’s Dragon spacecraft, Grace, carrying the Axiom-4 crew, including Group Captain Shubhanshu Shukla, undocked from the ISS. The capsule performed a series of engine burns to move away from the station and entered a stable return orbit.

With the spacecraft safely on course, the astronauts changed out of their pressure suits and rested as the capsule orbited Earth overnight. SpaceX and Axiom teams continued to monitor flight and weather conditions ahead of the planned splashdown off the coast of California.

Axiom-4 Return Live: Dragon spacecraft, piloted by Group Captain Shubhanshu Shukla, is on course for splashdown at 3 PM IST

The SpaceX Dragon spacecraft, carrying Group Captain Shubhanshu Shukla and three fellow astronauts from the Axiom-4 mission, is set to splash down in the Pacific Ocean near San Diego, California, at around 3:01 pm IST (5:31 am EDT) on Tuesday, July 15.

As it re-enters Earth’s atmosphere, the spacecraft is expected to create a brief sonic boom, signalling its arrival, according to SpaceX. This marks the conclusion of the crew’s 18-day orbital journey.

The return journey began after Dragon Grace undocked from the Harmony module of the International Space Station (ISS) at approximately 7:05 am EDT (4:35 pm IST) on Monday, July 14. The hatch was sealed shortly before undocking, officially beginning the spacecraft’s descent to Earth.

Axiom-4 return Live: Indian Astronaut Shubhanshu Shukla set to return as Dragon spacecraft readies for splashdown

Welcome to Our Live Coverage of Shubhanshu Shukla’s Return to Earth

We’re bringing you live updates as Indian astronaut Group Captain Shubhanshu Shukla prepares to make a historic return to Earth aboard SpaceX’s Dragon spacecraft. The splashdown is scheduled for 3:01 PM IST, off the coast of California, USA.

Stay with us as we track every key moment—from re-entry with a sonic boom to the final splashdown—in this landmark journey of the Axiom-4 crew.