Group Captain Shubhanshu Shukla, an Indian Air Force officer and ISRO astronaut, has made a triumphant return to Earth, concluding a groundbreaking mission aboard the International Space Station (ISS). This 18-day journey, as part of the Axiom-4 mission, makes him the first Indian to visit the ISS and only the second Indian in history to travel to space after Wing Commander Rakesh Sharma in 1984. Shukla’s flight marks a new era for India’s human spaceflight ambitions and sets the stage for the upcoming Gaganyaan mission in 2027.
Shubhanshu Shukla returns safely to Earth on July 15 and the rehabilitation program
Shubhasnhu Shukla, alongside commander Peggy Whitson (USA), and mission specialists Slawosz Uznanski-Wisniewski (Poland) and Tibor Kapu (Hungary), splashed down safely off the coast of California at 3:03 PM IST on July 15, 2025, as reported. Recovery teams swiftly retrieved the crew, bringing a successful close to India’s first commercial astronaut collaboration with Axiom Space and ISRO.After extended exposure to microgravity, Shubhanshu Shukla is now undergoing a structured 7-day rehabilitation program, supervised by ISRO and Axiom Space flight surgeons. This reconditioning process is critical for regaining balance, strength, and cardiovascular health, and includes musculoskeletal tests and psychological debriefs to ensure full recovery. Immediate medical checks were conducted on the recovery ship, and continuous health tracking will follow as Shukla transitions back to daily life.
What does the Axiom-4 mission cost for Shubhanshu Shukla
As BBC reported, the Indian government’s investment for Axiom-4 was approximately Rs 550 crore (about $59 million). This covered comprehensive astronaut training, launch services, ISS access, and safe return logistics. Though substantial, this expense is viewed as a strategic investment, providing India invaluable hands-on experience and paving the way for the nation’s independent crewed missions.
Shubhanshu Shukla’s scientific contributions
During his ISS stay, Shukla completed seven major experiments designed by Indian scientific institutions under ISRO’s Human Space Flight Centre:
- Tardigrade survivability: Studying the robustness of Indian tardigrades in microgravity.
- Muscle development (Myogenesis): Examining muscle loss and tissue regeneration.
- Seed germination: Cultivating ‘moong’ and ‘methi’ seeds to assess space farming potential.
- Cyanobacteria research: Testing space-driven photosynthesis and oxygen generation for closed-loop life support.
- Microalgae growth: Evaluating prospects for food and fuel in future missions.
- Cognitive performance: Measuring cognitive load and adaptation to space environments.
- Material science: Analysing how microgravity affects new materials.
These experiments provide vital data for India’s long-duration astronaut missions and broader scientific knowledge for all spacefaring nations.Also Read | NASA warns building-sized asteroid 2022 YS5 set for close Earth flyby on July 17; here’s why scientists are on aler