India’s Astronaut Returns from Space

Group Captain Shubhanshu Shukla is a 39-year-old test pilot in the Indian Air Force who became the first Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) astronaut to visit the International Space Station (ISS). In early 2024 he was named one of four pilots training for India’s maiden human spaceflight program, Gaganyaan. In June 2025, Shukla was selected as the pilot for Axiom Mission 4 (Ax-4), a privately arranged crewed flight to the ISS. Alongside NASA veteran Peggy Whitson and fellow astronauts from Poland and Hungary, Shukla flew to the ISS aboard SpaceX’s Dragon capsule. The mission launched on 25 June 2025 and lasted about 18–20 days, ending with a Pacific Ocean splashdown off the California coast on 15 July.

Axiom Mission 4 crew aboard the ISS (front row, center in black) with Expedition 73 members in July 2025. Mission pilot Group Captain Shubhanshu Shukla is seated front and center (black flight suit) – India’s first astronaut on the ISS. 

The Axiom-4 Mission: International Partnership in Space

The Ax-4 flight was a commercial mission organized by Axiom Space (a private US company) in partnership with NASA and funded by ISRO. Using a SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket from Florida, the Dragon spacecraft reached orbit 25 June and docked at the space station the next day. During about 18 days in microgravity, the crew conducted over 60 scientific experiments and outreach activities. These included biology and biotechnology tests, materials research, and educational events. Notably, Shukla performed seven experiments designed by ISRO, studying everything from plant growth in space to effects on microorganisms. The mission also featured live interactions with students and leaders on Earth; for example, Shukla spoke via video call with Prime Minister Modi from orbit and even chatted with schoolchildren using ham radio.

The Axiom-4 crews safely undocked on 14 July and splashed down on 15 July 2025, concluding the mission. In total, they orbited Earth over 300 times, traveling roughly 13.9 million kilometers (8.4 million miles) before returning home. This historic flight was hailed as “the return to space” for India (and also for Poland and Hungary) after 40 years, since astronaut Rakesh Sharma’s 1984 mission.

Seven Scientific Experiments for ISRO

ISRO had prepared seven key microgravity experiments for Shukla to carry out on the ISS. These included studies on tiny animals (tardigrades), muscle cell growth (“Myogenesis”), sprouting of mung and fenugreek seeds, cyanobacteria, micro-algae, crop seeds, and a new “Voyager Display” experiment. According to ISRO, Shukla successfully completed all seven experiments as planned. He also helped set up other experiments and equipment on the station and thanked the ISS crew for their support during a farewell ceremony.

Conducting these tests in space is important for ISRO’s research. As one ISRO official noted, Shukla’s work “advances India’s Gaganyaan human spaceflight programme” by giving engineers and scientists hands-on experience. Satellite communications experts in India called the mission a leap “into the space-biotech frontier” and praised it as a public–private partnership that could position India as a leader in space science.

A Mission of National Investment

India’s government invested heavily in this flight. Reports estimate ISRO spent about ₹548 crore (roughly $65 million) to fund Shukla’s training and space journey. This covered astronaut training by NASA and Axiom, SpaceX launch costs, ISS stay, and the research payload. Media outlets noted that Shukla himself received no extra salary or payment for the mission – he volunteered his time beyond his regular Air Force service. As CNBC-TV18 reported, Shukla did not get any mission-specific pay from ISRO, NASA, or Axiom. In fact, the Indiatimes summary makes clear: “though he received no salary, ISRO spent Rs 548 crore to fund his training, research, and space journey”.

ISRO and government leaders have defended this expenditure as a valuable investment. They point out that replicating astronaut training and space mission capabilities entirely in-house would cost far more. The Hindustan Times quoted ISRO officials emphasizing that the experience gained is “a fraction” of what India would spend to build those capabilities by itself. Indeed, Shukla and the Axiom-4 crew returned with over 580 pounds of scientific data and hardware, providing practical lessons for India’s space program.

Stepping Stone to Gaganyaan

Shukla’s mission is widely seen as a practice run for India’s Gaganyaan crewed spaceflight program (currently slated for 2027). As PM Modi noted, Shukla “has inspired a billion dreams” and taken “another milestone towards our own Human Space Flight Mission – Gaganyaan”. Being the first Indian to fly to the ISS (and the second in space overall), Shukla has helped ISRO learn about long-duration spaceflight, life support, human health in microgravity, and orbital science on a real mission. Engineers will study how his body readapted to Earth during the post-flight rehabilitation. All this feeds directly into planning India’s first homegrown astronaut flights.

Celebrations and National Pride

The mission was celebrated across India. On landing day, President Droupadi Murmu tweeted a “hearty welcome” and said Shukla’s flight “created a new milestone for India’s space exploration”. Prime Minister Narendra Modi congratulated Shukla as he came back, saying he has “lifted India’s aspirations to new heights” and again noted the next big goal is Gaganyaan. Defence Minister Rajnath Singh echoed the sentiment: “He has not just touched space; he has lifted India’s aspirations”. Union Science Minister Jitendra Singh called it a “moment of glory for India” and said Bharat has found “an enduring space in the world of Space” through this mission.

Inside India, news outlets highlighted how this was a joyous family moment too – footage showed Shukla’s tearful mother and others celebrating his safe return. At a broader level, many commentators noted that seeing an Indian flag patch on his suit orbiting Earth sent a strong message: “today’s India looks ambitious, fearless, confident, and full of pride,” as Shukla himself said from space. In short, the mission has rekindled public excitement about human spaceflight. Young students watched his live call from ISS, and discussions on social media overflowed with support and wonder at India’s technological rise.

In the days since his splashdown, there have been countless congratulations, from cabinet resolutions to congratulatory tweets. As one union minister put it, the Ax-4 flight was “a proud stride for India’s growing space ambitions.” Group Captain Shukla himself humbly called this journey “not just to the International Space Station, but to launch India’s Human Space Programme” and invited all citizens to share in the pride. His safe return marks the close of one mission and the exciting countdown to India’s next giant leap into space.

Sources: Official mission statements and media reports from Axiom Space, ISRO, NASA, The Indian Express, Hindustan Times, Moneycontrol, and others.