Did Indian astronaut Shubhanshu Shukla make history by returning from space?
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Synopsis
Indian astronaut Shubhanshu Shukla returns safely to Earth after an unprecedented journey to the International Space Station. His mission not only marks a significant milestone for India but also showcases the achievements of international collaboration in space exploration.
Key Takeaways
- Shubhanshu Shukla becomes the first Indian to reach the ISS.
- Completes over 310 orbits during his mission.
- Successfully conducted seven microgravity experiments.
- Collaboration with international astronauts enhances global space research.
- SpaceX Dragon spacecraft's splashdown represents a significant milestone.
New Delhi, July 15 (NationPress) Indian astronaut Shubhanshu Shukla, who made history as the first individual from the nation to reach the International Space Station, has safely returned home on Tuesday.
The SpaceX Dragon spacecraft named "Grace", which was carrying IAF Group Captain Shukla along with three other astronauts as part of the Axiom Space Mission-4 (Ax-4), successfully splashed down in the Pacific Ocean off the coast of California at 3:01 PM IST (4:31 AM CT).
“Splashdown of Dragon confirmed – welcome back to Earth, AstroPeggy, Shux, astro_slawosz, and Tibi!” SpaceX announced on social media platform X.
Shukla, along with his fellow astronauts Peggy Whitson (USA), Slawosz Uznanski-Wisniewski (Poland), and Tibor Kapu (Hungary), boarded the SpaceX Dragon spacecraft at 3:30 AM CT (2 PM IST) on Monday. Shukla's journey to the ISS began on June 26, marking him as the second Indian astronaut to travel to space, following Rakesh Sharma's journey in 1984.
The spacecraft executed an 18-minute de-orbit burn over the Pacific Ocean as it re-entered the Earth's atmosphere. During this time, the crew experienced a communication blackout lasting about seven minutes.
Final preparations involved detaching the capsule's trunk and positioning the heat shield for atmospheric entry, where the spacecraft faced temperatures nearing 1,600 degrees Celsius.
Parachutes deployed in two stages—first, stabilizing chutes at about 5.7 km altitude at 2:57 PM IST, followed by the main parachutes at approximately two km before splashdown.
SpaceX highlighted that this marks Dragon’s second human flight mission to splash down near California, following the Fram2 mission that returned operations to the West Coast in April. Prior splashdowns by SpaceX occurred in the Atlantic Ocean.
During his over two weeks aboard the ISS, Shukla completed more than 310 orbits, covering an impressive 1.3 crore kilometers—comparable to traveling 33 times the distance between Earth and the Moon.
The crew witnessed over 300 sunrises and sunsets from the orbital laboratory.
In the meantime, ISRO confirmed that astronaut Shukla has successfully conducted all seven microgravity experiments and other activities, marking a significant achievement in the mission. “Experiments on the Indian strain of tardigrades, myogenesis, sprouting of methi and moong seeds, cyanobacteria, microalgae, crop seeds, and voyager display have been completed as scheduled,” stated the national space agency.
Point of View
It's crucial to acknowledge Shubhanshu Shukla's remarkable achievement which enhances India's standing in global space exploration. His successful return marks not just personal triumph but a significant leap for our nation's scientific advancements. The collaborative efforts between India and global space agencies illustrate the importance of international partnerships in pushing the boundaries of human exploration.
NationPress
17/07/2025
Frequently Asked Questions
What was the purpose of Shubhanshu Shukla's mission?
Shubhanshu Shukla's mission aimed to conduct various microgravity experiments, contributing to scientific research in fields like biology and agriculture.
How long did Shubhanshu Shukla stay in space?
Shukhla spent over two weeks aboard the International Space Station, completing more than 310 orbits.
Who were the other astronauts on the mission?
The mission included astronauts Peggy Whitson (USA), Slawosz Uznanski-Wisniewski (Poland), and Tibor Kapu (Hungary).
