The parents of Group Captain Shubhanshu Shukla breathed a sigh of relief Tuesday afternoon when they saw the SpaceX Dragon spacecraft carrying the Indian astronaut and other crew members safely return to Earth from the International Space Station (ISS). His father Shambhu Dayal Shukla, 73; mother Asha Shukla, 67; and elder sister Suchi Shukla, a schoolteacher, watched the live broadcast of the spacecraft's landing during a special event organised by City Montessori School (CMS) in Lucknow, where Shubhanshu completed his early education. Surrounded by students, teachers, and well-wishers, the family was visibly emotional as the spacecraft touched down, marking the successful end of Shubhanshu's space mission. Following the splashdown, a three-tier celebratory cake was cut by Shukla’s family members and the CMS management. #WATCH | Axiom-4 Mission | Lucknow, UP: Group Captain Shubhanshu Shukla's family rejoices and celebrates as he and the entire crew return to the earth after an 18-day stay aboard the International Space Station (ISS) pic.twitter.com/Yzh4DEbuuR — ANI (@ANI) July 15, 2025 Shukla, an Indian Air Force pilot, became the first Indian to visit the $150 billion orbiting space laboratory and only the second Indian to travel to space since Rakesh Sharma’s historic mission in 1984. His journey was part of the Axiom Mission 4 (Ax-4), a private spaceflight brokered by Axiom Space in collaboration with NASA and ISRO. The mission lasted approximately 433 hours, completing 288 orbits and covering over 12.2 million kilometres. The moment Shubhanshu emerged safely from the capsule, the family jumped up from their seats and joined others in clapping and cheering. They also waved the flag. "My son has made history, and we are so proud of him. These tears are only of happiness. He has now become the second Indian after Rakesh Sharma to travel to space and return safely," said Asha Shukla, her eyes filled with emotion. VIDEO | Here's the first reaction of mother of Indian astronaut Shubhanshu Shukla, Asha Shukla, who was in tears, as Axiom-4 mission crew has safely returned to earth from International Space Station. She says, "My son has safely returned, I thank god, you all who have covered… pic.twitter.com/RWIws7HYns — Press Trust of India (@PTI_News) July 15, 2025 She added that even after the launch, she could not stop worrying about him, wondering if he was eating properly, getting enough rest, and staying safe, even though Shubhanshu was strictly following the instructions given by the authorities. Moreover, during a conversation from space, he assured them that he was doing well. "As a mother, these thoughts kept coming to my mind no matter what," she said. The family said that on Monday, when the Axiom-4 crew separated from the ISS, they were filled with anxiety and turned to prayer, hoping everything would go smoothly. "We were silently praying as the spacecraft detached. There was tension, but we kept our faith and hoped for the best," said Shubhanshu's father Shambhu Dayal Shukla, a retired government official. "When we finally heard that everything was fine, we felt a wave of relief. We are proud that he completed the mission safely. Now, we are just waiting for him to return home; only then will we truly feel at peace," said the father, adding that he had received a call from Defence Minister Rajnath Singh, who congratulated him. #WATCH | Lucknow, UP | Group Captain Shubhanshu Shukla and Axiom-4 crew assisted out of the Dragon Spacecraft onto the recovery vehicle, after their return to earth from the International Space Station 18 days later. His father, Shambhu Dayal Shukla, says, "Now we want to meet… pic.twitter.com/4x5qbe6TJe — ANI (@ANI) July 15, 2025 To seek blessings for his safe return, the family performed a Rudrabhishek at a Shiva temple on the first Monday of the holy month of Sawan. The father added that before leaving for space, Shubhanshu had reassured him with the words: "Papa, kar ke aata hoon. Aap chinta na karo (Papa, I will go and get it done. Don't worry)." The family said that although they had been informed in advance by the authorities about the expected return time, they kept flipping through news channels since morning, eagerly searching for any updates on his safe arrival. In the morning, the family recited the Sunderkand at the temple, lit lamps, and offered prayers. They added that while they are not yet sure when he will return home, the excitement is widespread; everyone, from his school friends to neighbours, is looking forward to welcoming him back. Shubhanshu will be on medical observation for a few days, said his sister. Shubhanshu's father-in-law Brij Mohan Mishra, who was also present at the event, said they are proud of Shubhanshu and are waiting for him to return home. PM Modi congratulates Shubhanshu Shukla The celebrations in Lucknow were echoed across the country, with Prime Minister Narendra Modi also extending his congratulations. In a post on X, PM Modi wrote: “I join the nation in welcoming Group Captain Shubhanshu Shukla as he returns to Earth from his historic mission to Space. As India’s first astronaut to have visited International Space Station, he has inspired a billion dreams through his dedication, courage and pioneering spirit.” The Prime Minister added that this moment marked another important step toward India’s own human spaceflight program, Gaganyaan, expected to launch in the near future. The Axiom-4 mission, which reportedly cost India around $70 million, represents a significant milestone in India’s collaboration with international space agencies and its ambitions to establish a sustained human presence in space.
