Shubhanshu Shukla Return LIVE Updates: Shubhanshu Shukla likely to arrive in India by August 17, says Union Minister

Samajwadi Party (SP) president Akhilesh Yadav expressed happiness over Shukla's safe return from space and congratulated his parents, family and countrymen. "This mission will prove to be a milestone in the field of Indian space science. All Indians are proud of Shubhanshu Shukla," Yadav said. He added that after Shukla left for the space station, he had met his family members at Lucknow's Triveni Nagar.

"This historic achievement is a matter of pride for the family and the countrymen," Yadav said in a statement shared by his party.

Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma congratulated Shubhanshu Shukla and said in a post on X, “Welcome back Group Captain Shubhanshu Shukla! Your successful visit to the International Space Station is a historic milestone for our space programme and triumph of human potential."

Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath lauded Shubhanshu Shukla on his remarkable feat. "Welcome back to Earth! Heartfelt congratulations to Group Captain Shubhanshu Shukla and his team on the successful completion of the historic #axiommission4," Adityanath said in a post on X. "Every Indian, especially the people of Uttar Pradesh, is proud today. India awaits your return with great excitement," he added.

Astronaut Shubhanshu Shukla, who returned to Earth after 18 days onboard the International Space Station, is likely to arrive in India on August 17, Union Minister Jitendra Singh said.

"There are certain SOPs to be followed... His rehabilitation, debriefing sessions and a series of discussions with Team ISRO. We might expect him in Delhi by August 17," Singh told PTI.

Calling the mission "unprecedented", Singh said the experiments conducted by Shukla during his stay in the orbital laboratory were closely linked to human survival and life in microgravity. "These experiments will be useful not just for Indians, but for all of humanity," he said.

"It is a moment of immense joy for India that a worthy son of Bharat Mata has returned successfully today," Singh said.

The minister said Shukla's journey reflected India's growing role in the global scientific community.

Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Mohan Yadav congratulated Shubhanshu Shukla on his successful completion of space expedition. In a post on X in roughly translated Hindi, "I heartily congratulate Group Captain Shri Shubhanshu Shukla ji and his team for safely returning after completing #axiommission4 with historic success. Your unparalleled achievement is an inspiration for countless youths. We are all proud that under the visionary leadership of Honorable Prime Minister @narendramodiji, 'New India' is rapidly progressing toward becoming a 'space superpower.'"

Family members of astronaut Shubhanshu Shukla celebrate the landing of Space-X spacecraft, in Lucknow. Shukla and three others of the commercial Axiom-4 mission made a fiery return to Earth as the Dragon 'Grace' spacecraft made a splash down off San Diego coast in southern California on Tuesday, capping a 22.5-hour journey after an 18-day stay at the International Space Station. (PTI)

"Congratulate Group Captain #shubhanshushukla and entire team of #axiommission4 team on the successful splash down on earth after historic 18-day space sojourn to International Space Station (ISS). His journey is a proud moment for every Indian and will advance country’s human spaceflight programme in the future. May this historic milestone inspire youths and become a stepping stone for many more space missions of India," posts BJD Chief Naveen Patnaik

"My heartiest congratulations to Group Captain Subhanshu Shukla on his successful return to Earth after a journey to the International Space Station. Driven by the sheer quest for greatness of Bharat, he has scripted an episode of triumph that has not only enhanced our pride but also renewed the confidence among Indian astronauts and scientists about their genius and grit. The knowledge and experience acquired in this journey will be crucial for Bharat in the future space missions," posts Union Home Minister Amit Shah.

“Welcome back, Group Captain Shubhanshu Shukla! Your historic journey to the International Space Station as the first Indian astronaut with Axiom-4 is a proud milestone for human potential, innovation, and global collaboration. Your mission has inspired countless young minds to dream big and reach for the stars. Wishing you and the entire crew a safe recovery and continued success in all your future endeavors,” posts N Chandrababu Naidu Chief Minister of Andhra Pradesh .

“He has scripted history and made our family and the entire nation proud,” says Vibhanshu Shukla, brother of Indian astronaut Shubhanshu Shukla, on his return as part of the Axiom-4 mission crew from the International Space Station (ISS).

"Very happy to see his big smile after he exited the Dragon spacecraft," says Shubhanshu Shukla's sister, Suchi Mishra, on his return as part of the Axiom-4 mission crew from the International Space Station (ISS).

Hearty welcome to Group Captain Shubhanshu Shukla as he comes back to Earth after his space journey, says President Droupadi Murmu

Indian astronaut Shubhanshu Shukla was born on October 10, 1985, and he grew up in a middle-class family in Lucknow. While it was unlikely that the little boy would aspire to space expeditions, an airshow ignited a spark in him.

Narrating his interest in space, his elder sister Suchi Shukla told PTI, "As a child, he had once attended an airshow and was fascinated by the speed and sound of the aircraft. That's when he first spoke about flying." He completed his schooling at City Montessori School (CMS). Things took a different turn after a classmate applying to the National Defence Academy (NDA) lost his chance due to being overage and handed over the form to Shukla.

He was commissioned into the Indian Air Force in 2006 and went on to become a decorated test pilot with over 2,000 hours of flying time on advanced fighter aircraft such as the Su-30 MKI, MiG-29, Jaguar, and Dornier-228. He pursued an MTech in Aerospace Engineering from the Indian Institute of Science, Bengaluru.

Congratulatory messages are pouring in after Indian astronaut along with Axiom-4 mission crew entered Earth a while ago. Union Minister JP Nadda said, "History has been made, and the future of Indian space exploration shines brighter than ever. Heartfelt congratulations to Group Captain Shubhranshu Shukla and the entire Axiom-4 crew on their safe return to Earth. Shubhranshu Shukla’s achievement is not just a personal milestone but a proud moment for the entire nation. His space journey will forever stand as a golden chapter in India’s space odyssey. This feat is a big step toward India’s own human spaceflight mission, Gaganyaan. I wish him continued success in all his future endeavours."

BSP chief and former Chief Minister of Uttar Pradesh, Mayawati congratulated Shubanshu Shukla on his space mission. In a post on X, Mayawati wrote in roughly translated Hindi, "The news of Shubhanshu Shukla's safe return to Earth today after various studies in space is particularly inspiring for the youth and exciting for the nation. Heartfelt congratulations and best wishes to Mr. Shukla, originally from Lucknow, his family, and all the space scientists and their institutions for this success. We hope that such experiences will surely benefit the millions of people in the country."

As Shubanshu Shukla returned to Earth after his 18-day stay on ISS, his father Shambhu Dayal Shukla expressed happiness and told PTI, “We felt amazing that Shubhanshu’s mission was successful and that he had a safe landing. We are very proud of him. I thank God for this.”

Defence Minister Rajnath Singh lauded Shubhanshu Shukla's feat and remarked that he has not just touched space, but also lifted India's aspirations to new heights. In a post on X, Singh wrote, "Group Captain Shubhanshu Shukla’s successful return from the historic Axiom-4 mission is a proud moment for every Indian. He has not just touched space, he has lifted India’s aspirations to new heights. His journey to the International Space Station and back is not just a personal milestone, it is a proud stride for India’s growing space ambitions. Wishing him great success in his future endeavours."

It was Whitson who first emerged from spacecraft and Shukla exited after him. Poland's Slawosz Uznanski-Wisniewski and Hungary's Tibor Kapu have also exit Dragon spacecraft.

Following the splashdown of SpaceX Dragon spacecraft in San Diego, California, Indian astronaut Shubanshu Shukla has exited the Dragon capsule.

Appreciating the experiments Indian astronaut Shubanshu Shukla carried out onboard ISS, Union Minister Jitendra Singh told PTI, " Not only they are important for the humanity, but what is the matter of pride for India is that they are the first of its kind experiments which have never been conducted before, they are closely related to human life, also the survival, sustenance of living beings in micro-gravity conditions, they are going to be useful for entire mankind. PM Modi gave us the concept of role of Vishwa Bandhu Bharat, this is a performance in that action."

The 39-year-old Indian Air Force officer and test pilot, Shubanshu Shukla has completed his maiden space voyage as part of the Axiom-4 mission. The space expedition has marked a significant milestone for India. Before Shukla, Rakesh Sharma had made into space back in 1984.

Narrating about his interest in the space voyage, his sister Suchi Shukla told PTI, "As a child, he had once been to an air show and was fascinated by the speed and sound of the aircraft. That's when he first spoke about flying."

As Shubanshu Shukla returns to Earth, his family has started celebrating. In a video posted by news agency ANI, his parents are seen cutting cake.

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Prime Minister Narendra Modi welcomed the return of Group Captain Shubhanshu Shukla from his historic space mission, calling it an inspiration for a billion dreams. In a post on X (formerly Twitter), Modi said:

“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 also linked the achievement to India’s future space ambitions, calling it “another milestone towards our own Human Space Flight Mission – Gaganyaan.”

Happy to be back, says Axiom-4 commander Peggy Whitson as Dragon spacecraft splashes down.

Indian astronaut Shubhanshu Shukla, and his three colleagues on the Axiom-4 mission, returned on Earth on Tuesday afternoon, after spending 20 days in space, including an 18-day stay at the International Space Station.

The Grace space module, carrying the four astronauts, made a flawless splash down in the Pacific Ocean, off the coast of California, at just about 3 pm India time. The space module was assisted by ground-based recovery teams to reach a retrieval ship deployed for bringing the astronauts back. The astronauts will undergo a health check on the ship before being airlifted by a helicopter to the mainland.

Amitabh Sinha reports

Axiom-4 spacecraft, carrying Indian astronaut Shubhanshu Shukla and three other crew members, splashed down off the coast of San Diego, California at 3.01 pm IST today.

Dragon 'Grace' spacecraft begins de-orbit burn to re-enter Earth's atmosphere in just 30 minutes after 18-day stay at International Space Station. De-orbit burn to last for just under 18 minutes during which Dragon spacecraft will loose communication signal for seven minutes.

Indian astronaut Subhanshu Shukla's 15-day mission in space will play a crucial role in India's first manned spaceflight under the Gaganyaan programme, the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) said on Monday. Shukla became the first Indian in 41 years to travel to space wher he undertook scientific experiments aboard the International Space Station (ISS).

"This has been an unforgettable experience for him (Subhanshu Shukla). He carried out multiple experiments aboard the Space Shuttle and the International Space Station. After experiencing space and microgravity, he conducted several scientific tests. This mission has been a major learning opportunity for us. ISRO took up this mission to gather experience that will help us in our Gaganyaan programme," said Nilesh M Desai, Director, Space Applications Centre, ISRO.

As astronaut Shubhanshu Shukla is set to begin his journey back to Earth after completing his 18-day stay aboard the International Space Station, his family in Lucknow is eagerly awaiting his safe return, saying they are filled with immense pride and emotion about the entire experience.

They said it was a joy for them to have seen Shubhanshu, "like a child", show them sights from space but now it was time for some nervous excitement and prayers in the family as the Axiom-4 mission undocks from the ISS on Monday and is expected to splashdown off the California coast on Tuesday. (PTI)

Astronaut Shubhanshu Shukla, the Axiom-4 mission pilot, has showcased a zero-gravity experiment aboard the International Space Station (ISS) involving water to illustrate how microgravity transforms everyday physics.

The experiment, part of Axiom Space's outreach and scientific mission, highlighted the unique behaviour of water in space.

After an 18-day stay at the ISS, Shukla and three others -- commander Peggy Whitson and mission specialists Slawosz Uznanski-Wisniewski of Poland and Tibor Kapu of Hungary -- of the commercial Axiom-4 mission set off on a return journey to Earth on Monday evening.

Using surface tension to their advantage, Shukla formed a floating water bubble. “I've become a water bender here in the station,” he joked. (PTI)