Astronaut Shubhanshu Shukla smiles onboard a plane as he returns to India after his ISS mission. [Photo: X]
Astronaut Shubhanshu Shukla is coming back to India on Sunday after completing his successful mission at the International Space Station (ISS). His arrival will be an emotional moment after spending a year in the United States training for the Axiom-4 mission.
Shukla, who reached the ISS on June 26 and came back to Earth on July 15, will now meet PM Narendra Modi in India before visiting his hometown Lucknow. He will also join the National Space Day celebrations on August 22-23.
Shukla shared his thoughts on Instagram before boarding his flight to India. Posting a smiling photo from inside the plane, he said he was experiencing “mixed emotions.” He felt sad about leaving behind his teammates in the US, who had become like family during the mission, but he was also excited to finally reunite with his loved ones and fellow Indians.
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“Goodbyes are hard, but we must keep moving forward in life,” Shukla wrote. He remembered the words of his commander, Peggy Whitson: “The only constant in spaceflight is change.” He also mentioned listening to the Bollywood song Yun Hi Chala Chal Rahi… before his launch, saying it reminded him that life always keeps moving.
A major milestone in India's space journey was the June 25 launch of the Axiom-4 mission from Florida. Shukla collaborated with astronauts Tibor Kapu (Hungary), Peggy Whitson (US), and Slawosz Uznanski-Wisniewski (Poland).
In just 18 days, they implemented 20 outreach programs and over 60 research projects. The mission showed the importance of global teamwork in space research and technology.
PM Modi also praised Shukla during his Independence Day speech at the Red Fort. He said, “Our Group Captain Shubhanshu Shukla has returned from the space station.
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In the coming days, he is returning to India.” Modi also spoke about India’s goal of building its space station and the progress being made toward ISRO’s first human spaceflight in 2027.
For India, Shukla’s return is more than just a homecoming, it shows the country’s rising role in the global space race. His story inspires young Indians to pursue jobs in science and technology and to have larger dreams.
As India prepares for its next big step - launching its astronauts into space - his encounter with PM Modi and his involvement in National Space Day are anticipated to generate even more enthusiasm and confidence.
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