🚀 India’s First Astronaut On ISS Returns After Groundbreaking 18‑Day Mission

Melissa Santañez
Jul 16
2 min read

When Group Captain Shubhanshu Shukla splashed down safely off the California coast on July 15, 2025, he brought more than just a payload—he carried the dreams of 1.4 billion Indians. As the first Indian to live and work aboard the International Space Station, his 18-day journey was a beacon of human curiosity, scientific ambition, and national pride.

🧪 Mission Highlights

Historic Splashdown: Shukla landed off San Diego at 3:01 p.m. IST—returning with 580+ lbs of research cargo and data from 60+ experiments across 31 countries.
Seven Critical Experiments: ISRO‑led studies on tardigrades, methi & moong sprouting, cyanobacteria, microalgae, crop seed growth, myogenesis, and muscle-loss research—all successfully executed.
Neuro‑Tech Breakthrough: Conducted the first-ever space-based brain-to-computer communications test, a giant leap in neurotechnology .
Human Touch: He spoke to PM Modi from orbit, exchanged school-student video calls, watched 16 sunrises and sunsets per day—and got a haircut in microgravity, another Indian first.

🌟 Why It Matters

Step Toward GaganyaanHis mission is a vital bridge to India’s own crewed spacecraft, with insights into astronaut health, space-ground coordination, and long-term microgravity effects.
Global Collaboration
Axiom-4's crew included veterans from the U.S., Poland, and Hungary—highlighting India’s role in international, commercial space ventures

Inspiring a Billion
From fighter pilot to space pioneer, Shukla’s journey is reigniting STEM dreams across India—evidenced by messages from school children and widespread public excitement.

Shukla’s mission reminds us that the sky is not the limit—it’s just the beginning. From pioneering science in microgravity to symbolizing national ambition, his journey blends grit, skill, and vision. As he touched down on Earth, he lit a spark—guiding India’s next giant leap among the stars.

Sources: The Times of India