NASA has confirmed that Astronaut Group Captain Shubhanshu Shukla, along with three other crew members, will commence their return journey to Earth on July 14. This announcement was made by Steve Stitch, Manager of NASA’s Commercial Crew Program, during a press conference. He stated, “We are working with the station program, watching the Axiom-4 progress carefully. I think we need to undock that mission, and the current target to undock is July 14.”

Group Captain Shukla is currently on a 14-day mission aboard the International Space Station (ISS), marking a significant milestone as he becomes the first Indian to visit the ISS and only the second Indian astronaut in space since Wing Commander Rakesh Sharma’s mission in 1984. During his time on the ISS, Shukla conducted seven India-specific experiments, contributing to Mission ‘Akash Ganga,’ which is a crucial step towards India’s Gaganyaan human space flight initiative.

The return journey is expected to culminate in a splashdown near the coast of California in the Pacific Ocean, several hours after undocking from the ISS. This mission not only highlights India’s growing capabilities in space exploration but also strengthens international collaboration in scientific research.

Group Captain Shukla’s family expressed immense pride and anticipation for his safe return. His mother, Asha Shukla, shared her excitement with news agency ANI, saying, “We are very excited. We are delighted that the moment when our child comes back to us is coming, and that we will get to meet him. We pray to God that he is back safe… We will welcome him with open arms, warmth and ‘band-baaja’.”

In a conversation with Dr. Lucie Low, Chief Scientist at Axiom Space, Shukla emphasized the importance of this mission for Indian researchers. He stated that it opens new avenues for microgravity and space research for Indian scientists, highlighting the collaborative efforts between ISRO and various Indian institutions.