Entire nation eagerly awaits your arrival: Space minister to Shubham Shukla on return journey from ISS | India News

Indian astronaut Shubhanshu Shukla with his teammates of Axiom-4 and ISS just before undocking on Monday

NEW DELHI: With Indian astronaut Shubhanshu Shukla and his other three spacemates of Axiom-4 mission starting their return journey to Earth after their 18-day stay at International Space Station, space minister Jitendra Singh on Monday expressed delight over the successful undocking of the Dragon capsule, saying the entire country was awaiting Shukla’s arrival.In a post on X, he said, “Welcome back Shubhanshu! The entire nation eagerly awaits your arrival back home…as you begin your return journey, after successful undocking of #Axiom4”.Group Captain Shukla’s father, Shambu Dayal Shukla, also expressed joy and said, “We are very happy that the undocking took place safely. We expect that the landing will also take place smoothly tomorrow. We have faith in the Almighty”. He added, “We thank the people and the Honourable Prime Minister for blessing our son”.Asha Devi, the astronaut’s mother, said his entire family is overwhelmed with joy and anticipation. “The undocking has taken place successfully, and we hope that he will land successfully too. We are praying that he lands successfully tomorrow”.

Shukla is accompanied by commander Peggy Whitson and mission specialists Slawosz Uznanski-Wisniewski of Poland and Tibor Kapu of Hungary. Shukla is only the second Indian to fly to space after Rakesh Sharma in 1984.Astronaut Shubhanshu Shukla has successfully completed all seven microgravity experiments and other planned activities, achieving a significant milestone in the Axiom-4 mission, Isro said on Monday. It said that experiments on the Indian strain of tardigrades, myogenesis, sprouting of methi and moong seeds, cyanobacteria, microalgae, crop seeds and Voyager display have been completed as planned.Following a series of orbital manoeuvres after undocking, the Dragon spacecraft is expected to splash down near the coast of California on Tuesday at 3.01 pm IST. Satcom Industry Association-India director general Anil Prakash said Shukla’s 18-day mission aboard the ISS isn’t just a milestone; it heralds India’s leap into the space-biotech frontier.“Group Captain Shubhanshu Shukla’s 18-day mission aboard the ISS isn’t just a milestone—it heralds India’s leap into the space-biotech frontier,” Anil Prakash, director general, SIA-India, said. “As India’s first astronaut on the ISS and only the second in space since 1984, he spearheaded seven Isro-backed microgravity experiments…,laying the first steps toward orbit-based, self-sustaining life-support systems. This mission, made possible through strategic private-sector engagement—via Axiom Space, SpaceX, Skyroot Aerospace and India’s space-tech startups—showcases a powerful public–private partnership, transforming space research into sustainable biotech innovation. SIA India applauds this collaborative breakthrough in propelling India from space exploration to global space-driven biotech leadership,” Prakash said.