Is Shubhanshu Shukla's Crew-Carrying Dragon Spacecraft Ready for Splashdown Today?
Click to start listening
Synopsis
The anticipation builds as IAF's Shubhanshu Shukla and his fellow astronauts aboard the Dragon spacecraft prepare for their splashdown. With a spectacular journey behind them, their return to Earth promises to be a historic moment. Discover the details of their mission and what awaits them upon landing.
Key Takeaways
- The Dragon spacecraft is set for splashdown in the Pacific Ocean.
- IAF Group Captain Shubhanshu Shukla has completed all planned microgravity experiments.
- The crew witnessed over 300 sunrises and sunsets during their mission.
- The spacecraft will experience temperatures of nearly 1,600 degrees Celsius upon reentry.
- Shukla's journey covered an astounding 1.3 crore kilometers.
New Delhi, July 15 (NationPress) The Dragon spacecraft, transporting IAF Group Captain Shubhanshu Shukla along with three other astronauts as part of the Axiom Space Mission-4 (Ax-4), is primed for reentry into Earth’s atmosphere and is set to splash down today, according to SpaceX.
Shukla, accompanied by fellow astronauts Peggy Whitson (US), Slawosz Uznanski-Wisniewski (Poland), and Tibor Kapu (Hungary), boarded SpaceX’s Dragon spacecraft named "Grace" at 3:30 a.m. CT (2 PM IST) on Monday.
Following an impressive mission aboard the orbital laboratory, the Ax-4 crew is expected to splash down in the Pacific Ocean, off the coast of California, at 3:01 p.m. IST (4:31 AM CT).
“The Dragon and the Ax-4 crew are on course to reenter Earth’s atmosphere and splash down close to San Diego,” SpaceX announced via social media.
“The Dragon will signal its arrival with a brief sonic boom just before its splashdown in the Pacific Ocean,” they added.
The de-orbit burn is scheduled for 2:07 p.m. IST over the Pacific Ocean as the spacecraft makes its reentry.
Final preparations involve detaching the capsule’s trunk (at 2:26 p.m. IST) and orienting the heat shield ahead of atmospheric entry, which will expose the spacecraft to temperatures reaching nearly 1,600 degrees Celsius.
Parachutes will deploy in two stages: first, stabilizing chutes at around 5.7 km altitude at 2:57 p.m. IST, followed by the main parachutes at approximately 2 km prior to splashdown.
During his more than two-week stay aboard the ISS, Shukla completed over 310 orbits, traveling a remarkable 1.3 crore kilometers — equivalent to 33 times the distance between Earth and the Moon.
The crew also witnessed over 300 sunrises and sunsets from the orbital laboratory.
In related news, ISRO reported that astronaut Shukla has successfully completed all seven microgravity experiments and other scheduled 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 executed as planned,” stated the national space agency.
Point of View
It's crucial to emphasize the significance of Shubhanshu Shukla's mission. This journey not only showcases India's growing prowess in space exploration but also highlights the collaborative spirit of international space endeavors. Such missions inspire future generations and push the boundaries of scientific knowledge.
NationPress
16/07/2025
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the Axiom Space Mission-4?
The Axiom Space Mission-4 (Ax-4) is a crewed spaceflight mission that aims to conduct scientific research and experiments aboard the International Space Station (ISS).
When will the Dragon spacecraft splash down?
The Dragon spacecraft is scheduled to splash down in the Pacific Ocean off the coast of California at 3:01 PM IST.
What experiments were conducted during the mission?
The mission included experiments on tardigrades, myogenesis, sprouting of methi and moong seeds, cyanobacteria, microalgae, and crop seeds.
Who are the astronauts aboard the Dragon spacecraft?
The crew includes IAF Group Captain Shubhanshu Shukla, Peggy Whitson, Slawosz Uznanski-Wisniewski, and Tibor Kapu.
What is the significance of this mission for India?
This mission marks a significant achievement for India in terms of space exploration and showcases the capabilities of Indian astronauts on an international platform.
