Indian astronaut Shubhangshu Shukla has returned safely to Earth from space, marking a historic moment for the country. Alongside three international astronauts, Shubhangshu participated in the “Axiom-4” mission, spending 18 days aboard the International Space Station (ISS) conducting scientific experiments and research.

On July 15 (Tuesday) at around 3 PM IST, the final leg of their return journey was successfully completed as the team made a smooth splashdown in the Pacific Ocean near the coast of California. Their spacecraft entered the Earth’s atmosphere at a blazing speed of 27,000 km/h, appearing like a fireball due to the intense atmospheric friction.

Rescue ships and recovery teams, stationed in advance at the landing site, quickly retrieved the astronauts and transported them to a NASA base. There, they will undergo a 7-day rehabilitation period to help their bodies readjust to Earth’s environment after extended exposure to space.

After the completion of rehabilitation and receiving clearance from NASA, Shubhangshu Shukla will return to India. He becomes the second Indian astronaut after Rakesh Sharma to make a spaceflight, securing a historic position in the country’s space history.

This mission is not only a matter of national pride for India but also stands as a significant milestone in global space exploration and scientific advancement.