ISRO Astronaut Shubhanshu Shukla Set to Return: Why His Space Mission Is a Historic Milestone for India and What Lies Ahead

Indian astronaut Group Captain Shubhanshu Shukla is on his way back home after a groundbreaking 18-day stay aboard the International Space Station (ISS), marking a historic moment for Indian space exploration.

With this mission, Shubhanshu Shukla becomes only the second Indian to travel to space, following in the footsteps of Rakesh Sharma. But this mission is much more than a symbolic journey - it is a vital step toward India’s future in manned spaceflight. Launched on June 25 from Florida as part of the Axiom-4 (Ax-4) crew, Shukla, along with Commander Peggy Whitson and Mission Specialists Slawosz Uznanski and Tibor Kapu, docked with the ISS a day later.



A Crucial Boost for Gaganyaan
Shukla’s journey is seen as a rehearsal for ISRO’s upcoming Gaganyaan mission, India’s first planned crewed flight set for 2027. His time aboard the ISS provided real-world experience in a microgravity environment - from working with scientific equipment to managing the rigours of space life.

"His missions hold ‘far-reaching implications beyond science’,” he stated - and indeed they do. ISRO reportedly spent around ₹550 crore for Shukla’s participation, which is seen as an investment in India’s spacefaring future.



Pioneering Indian Experiments in Space
Union Minister Jitendra Singh highlighted that this mission marked the first time Indian-origin experiments were conducted in space by an Indian astronaut. With kits developed by the Department of Biotechnology, Indian Institute of Science (IISc), and IITs, the focus was on life sciences and space agriculture.

“Indigenous kits, indigenous experiments, done by indigenous people, which will benefit and be used by other countries of the world." He further added, “All the experiments were never imagined to date. On India’s initiative, Shubhanshu has done this for the whole world… For the first time, experiments of Indian origin have been done by an Indian person for the world."

This initiative places India at the centre of international scientific collaboration, paving the way for Indian innovations to contribute globally.

What Did Shukla Do in Space?
Group Captain Shukla’s schedule in orbit was packed with scientific research:



Muscle Degeneration Study: He used the Life Sciences Glovebox to analyse how skeletal muscle breaks down in space.

• Plant & Microalgae Experiments: He compared different strains of photosynthetic bacteria and cultivated microalgae to understand how space affects metabolism and genetic expression.

• Sustainable Space Food & Oxygen: Shukla investigated microalgae as potential future resources for long missions - as food, fuel, and oxygen generators.

• Tardigrade Experiment: He documented the survival and reproduction of tardigrades - tiny, resilient creatures - in space conditions.

• Sprouts Project: Shukla irrigated crop seeds to assess how microgravity influences seed germination and plant growth.

These studies provide crucial insights for developing sustainable life support systems for long-duration space missions.

Scientific Outcomes with Global Value
The Ax-04 mission offered India hands-on experience in conducting human spaceflight-related research. Key focus areas included:

• Effects of microgravity on edible microalgae and plant growth
• Muscle regeneration under reduced gravity
• Human interaction with tech interfaces in orbit
• The genetic resilience of tardigrades

These findings will strengthen India’s preparation for Gaganyaan by fine-tuning astronaut training, medical protocols, and mission planning.

Returning Home: What Happens Next?
After nearly three weeks in orbit, Shukla and the Ax-4 crew began their return journey on July 14 with a ceremonial hatch closure. They’re expected to splash down in the Pacific Ocean off the California coast around 3 PM IST on July 15 aboard the SpaceX Dragon spacecraft.

NASA has confirmed the return capsule will carry back over 580 pounds of cargo, including scientific data from more than 60 experiments.



What Lies Ahead for Shukla

Shukla won’t be jumping straight back to normal life. His next few days will include:

• Seven-day rehabilitation under medical supervision to help his body readjust to Earth’s gravity
• Physical and psychological evaluations to assess fitness, reflexes, and immune responses
• Debriefings with ISRO and Axiom to analyse mission data and experiment results

Before returning to India, he’s likely to be formally honoured by ISRO, the Indian Air Force, and other government bodies for his exceptional contribution to science and space exploration.

Shubhanshu Shukla’s mission represents more than just a scientific success - it’s a symbol of India’s growing prowess in human spaceflight. His journey not only enriched our scientific knowledge but also laid a strong foundation for India’s ambitious Gaganyaan mission and beyond.