Shubhanshu Shukla Returns to Earth After 20 Days in Space
Shubhanshu Shukla is back on Earth. After spending 20 days floating in the endless vacuum of space, he touched down with a wide smile, marking a giant leap for India’s space dreams. He’s only the second Indian ever to travel to space and the first Indian to visit the International Space Station (ISS) — a game-changer for India’s ambitions in space exploration.
This isn’t just a proud moment; it’s a statement that India is ready to play in the big leagues of space technology, science, and global collaborations.
What Exactly Happened?
Shukla was part of the Axiom-4 mission, a commercial human spaceflight led by Axiom Space, a US-based private company. The mission was supported by NASA, and the rocket and capsule used were developed by SpaceX, the biggest private space company on Earth. He wasn’t alone — his space buddies included Peggy Whitson from the US, Slawosz Uznanski-Wisniewski from Poland, and Tibor Kapu from Hungary.
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After launching on June 25, they reached the ISS where they spent 18 days. That’s nearly three weeks in microgravity, where things don’t fall down because you’re essentially in freefall around Earth. Simple tasks like eating, sleeping, or even brushing teeth get tricky in microgravity. Ever tried drinking water when it floats like bubbles? That’s life on the ISS.
While they orbited Earth 288 times, the team carried out critical space research experiments — 60 experiments from 31 countries. These experiments covered space technology, biology, and even the effects of zero gravity on human bodies. Shukla also conducted experiments designed by ISRO, India’s space agency, gaining insights that will fuel our own missions.
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The Return: A Delicate Process
On their return, the space capsule, called Grace, detached from the ISS and began the 20-hour journey back home. It didn’t come straight down — it orbited Earth a few more times, offering final glimpses of the planet from space. Eventually, they splashed down in the cold Pacific Ocean, off California’s coast.
During the Shubhanshu Shukla space journey, understanding how the human body responds to microgravity was a critical research focus. Here’s something cool — after 20 days in microgravity, even standing up is a challenge. Gravity hits like a ton of bricks when you’ve been weightless. Shukla, along with the other astronauts, needed help getting out of the capsule and standing on their feet again.
Once out, the crew underwent medical checks right there on the ship, before being airlifted to NASA’s Space Center in Houston for recovery and debriefing. Why? Because the body weakens without gravity — bones lose density, muscles shrink, and balance gets wonky. It takes days or even weeks to fully recover.
What Is the International Space Station (ISS)?
For those wondering, the ISS is a giant laboratory orbiting Earth at 400 km above us. It travels at 28,000 km/h, completing a full orbit every 90 minutes. That means astronauts on the ISS see 16 sunrises and sunsets every day!
Built by an alliance of countries like the US, Russia, Japan, Canada, and the European Space Agency, the ISS allows scientists to study the effects of long-term space travel and test new technologies.
Why Shukla’s Mission Matters for India
This mission wasn’t just a PR stunt — it was a strategic move. Shukla is one of the four astronauts selected for India’s upcoming Gaganyaan mission, our very first human spaceflight program aimed for launch by 2027.
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By sending Shukla on Axiom-4, India gained first-hand experience in human spaceflight. That’s priceless when you’re preparing to send your own astronauts up there. This knowledge closes the gap between India and space powerhouses like the US, Russia, and China.
India’s Place in the Space Race
The buzz back home was electric. President Droupadi Murmu and Prime Minister Narendra Modi praised Shukla’s bravery and success, calling it a milestone for India’s space ambitions. Defence Minister Rajnath Singh pointed out that Shukla’s journey elevated India’s status in the global space ecosystem.
Science Minister Jitendra Singh emphasized that India is now permanently etched in the space world — a signal to the world that we’re serious about space.
And rightly so. It’s been 41 years since Rakesh Sharma became the first Indian in space, back in 1984 on a Soviet mission. Shukla’s mission symbolizes the return of Indian presence in space after decades.
Axiom-4: Why It Was Special
- One of the largest collections of experiments in a single mission — 60 experiments
- Participation from countries returning to space after 40+ years: India, Hungary, Poland
- Theme of the mission: Realise the Return, symbolizing not just the astronauts’ comeback but also the revival of national space ambitions
