Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Tuesday congratulated Group Captain Shubhanshu Shukla upon his successful return from the International Space Station.
"I join the nation in welcoming Group Captain Shubhanshu Shukla as he returns to Earth from his historic mission to Space," said Modi.
Shubhanshu Shukla aboard SpaceX Dragon returned back to Earth at 3:02 PM IST as the spacecraft splashed down in the Pacific Ocean. The vessel is taken on a recovery ship's 'Dragon Nest' ahead of crew's landing on Earth.
Also read: Axiom 4 mission: Indian astronaut Shubhanshu Shukla 'Shux' returns to Earth as Grace splashes down in Pacific
"As India’s first astronaut to have visited International Space Station, he has inspired a billion dreams through his dedication, courage and pioneering spirit," Modi said.
Recalling India's commitment to science and technology, the prime minister said that Shukla's arrival marks another milestone towards our own Human Space Flight Mission - Gaganyaan.
Under the Axiom 4 mission, the four astronauts including Group Captain Shubhanshu Shukla, commander Peggy Whitson, and mission specialists Slawosz Uznanski-Wisniewski of Poland and Tibor Kapu of Hungary, spent approximately 433 hours or 18 days and 288 orbits around Earth, covering nearly 7.6 million miles.
“A moment of glory for India as one of her illustrious sons returns from a successful voyage… having conducted for the posterity, life-bearing experiments in microgravity, never done before. Bharat today finds an enduring Space in the world of Space!” said Union Minister of State for Science and Technology on X.
Sharing updates on Axiom-4 mission, ISRO said, “Experiments on Indian strain of tardigrades, myogenesis, sprouting of methi and moong seeds, cyanobacteria, microalgae, crop seeds, and voyager display have been completed as planned."
The Indian space agency shared that Shukla, along with other crew members, will undergo a rehabilitation programme (about seven days) after landing under the supervision of the Flight Surgeons to adapt back to Earth's gravity.
Defence Minister Rajnath Singh also congratulated Shukla upon arrival, calling it a 'proud stride for India'.
"His journey to the International Space Station and back is not just a personal milestone, it is a proud stride for India’s growing space ambitions. Wishing him great success in his future endeavours," he said in a recent social media post.
Group Captain Shubhanshu Shukla’s successful return from the historic Axiom-4 mission is a proud moment for every Indian. He has not just touched space, he has lifted India’s aspirations to new heights, he added.
"I join the nation in welcoming Group Captain Shubhanshu Shukla as he returns to Earth from his historic mission to Space," said Modi.
Shubhanshu Shukla aboard SpaceX Dragon returned back to Earth at 3:02 PM IST as the spacecraft splashed down in the Pacific Ocean. The vessel is taken on a recovery ship's 'Dragon Nest' ahead of crew's landing on Earth.
Also read: Axiom 4 mission: Indian astronaut Shubhanshu Shukla 'Shux' returns to Earth as Grace splashes down in Pacific
"As India’s first astronaut to have visited International Space Station, he has inspired a billion dreams through his dedication, courage and pioneering spirit," Modi said.
Recalling India's commitment to science and technology, the prime minister said that Shukla's arrival marks another milestone towards our own Human Space Flight Mission - Gaganyaan.
I join the nation in welcoming Group Captain Shubhanshu Shukla as he returns to Earth from his historic mission to Space. As India’s first astronaut to have visited International Space Station, he has inspired a billion dreams through his dedication, courage and pioneering…
— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) July 15, 2025
Under the Axiom 4 mission, the four astronauts including Group Captain Shubhanshu Shukla, commander Peggy Whitson, and mission specialists Slawosz Uznanski-Wisniewski of Poland and Tibor Kapu of Hungary, spent approximately 433 hours or 18 days and 288 orbits around Earth, covering nearly 7.6 million miles.
“A moment of glory for India as one of her illustrious sons returns from a successful voyage… having conducted for the posterity, life-bearing experiments in microgravity, never done before. Bharat today finds an enduring Space in the world of Space!” said Union Minister of State for Science and Technology on X.
Sharing updates on Axiom-4 mission, ISRO said, “Experiments on Indian strain of tardigrades, myogenesis, sprouting of methi and moong seeds, cyanobacteria, microalgae, crop seeds, and voyager display have been completed as planned."
The Indian space agency shared that Shukla, along with other crew members, will undergo a rehabilitation programme (about seven days) after landing under the supervision of the Flight Surgeons to adapt back to Earth's gravity.
Defence Minister Rajnath Singh also congratulated Shukla upon arrival, calling it a 'proud stride for India'.
"His journey to the International Space Station and back is not just a personal milestone, it is a proud stride for India’s growing space ambitions. Wishing him great success in his future endeavours," he said in a recent social media post.
Group Captain Shubhanshu Shukla’s successful return from the historic Axiom-4 mission is a proud moment for every Indian. He has not just touched space, he has lifted India’s aspirations to new heights, he added.
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