New Delhi, Aug 16 (NationPress) After undergoing weeks of rehabilitation in the US following his triumphant space mission, Indian astronaut Shubhanshu Shukla has declared his return journey to India. He is anticipated to arrive in the country tomorrow.

In an emotional message shared on Instagram, Shukla reflected on his journey and expressed his eagerness to reunite with friends and family.

“As I board the plane back to India, a whirlwind of emotions fills my heart. I feel a sense of sadness leaving behind an extraordinary group of people who became my family during this mission,” Shukla shared.

“Yet, I am thrilled to reconnect with my friends, family, and everyone in the nation for the first time since my mission. I suppose this is the essence of life - experiencing everything at once,” he added.

In June, Shukla etched his name in history as the first Indian to reach the International Space Station (ISS). He returned on July 15 after an 18-day mission that included numerous experiments led by ISRO along with various activities aboard the orbital laboratory. Since then, he has been recuperating in the US.

Shukla expressed his eagerness to return and share his experiences, which he believes will be invaluable for India's future space pursuits, especially the Gaganyaan mission - India's inaugural human spaceflight endeavor, aiming for a launch by 2027.

“Having received overwhelming love and support from everyone during and after the mission, I am excited to return to India and share my journey with all of you,” Shukla stated.

Reflecting on his colleagues, he acknowledged that while “goodbyes are challenging,” “we must continue to progress in life.”

He also shared insightful advice from his commander, NASA astronaut Peggy Whitson: 'The only constant in spaceflight is change.'

Shukla noted that this wisdom applies to life as well, quoting a song from the Bollywood film Swades, “at the end of the day Yun hi chala chal rahi - jeevan gaadi hai samay pahiya (loosely translated as just keep walking, traveller - life is a carriage, time is the wheel).”

Meanwhile, his family expressed their joy over his return after his successful space mission.

“I am beyond excited. My son has successfully completed his mission and is coming back. We are eagerly waiting to meet him as soon as possible. He arrives tomorrow, and we will meet him in Delhi,” Shukla’s father, Shambhu Dayal Shukla, shared with IANS.

On Thursday, Union Minister Jitendra Singh mentioned that the IAF Group Captain will meet Prime Minister Narendra Modi in Delhi before heading home to Lucknow to reunite with his family.

Earlier Friday, Prime Minister Modi praised Shukla's mission, stating that he has ignited a billion dreams and made significant strides in advancing India's space ambitions.

“IAF Group Captain Shubhanshu Shukla is back from the ISS. Shortly, he will return to India. We are committed to achieving self-reliance in the space sector, preparing for the launch of Gaganyaan, which is India's flagship human spaceflight programme. We are aiming to establish our own space station,” the Prime Minister remarked in his Independence Day address.