• Source:JND
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Prime Minister Narendra Modi extended a warm welcome to Group Captain Shubhanshu Shukla, the Indian astronaut who just completed a historic mission to the International Space Station. In his message, PM Modi praised Shukla's dedication, courage, and pioneering spirit, saying that he has inspired a billion dreams with his achievement.

"I join the nation in welcoming Group Captain Shubhanshu Shukla as he returns to Earth from his historic mission to Space. As India’s first astronaut to have visited International Space Station, he has inspired a billion dreams through his dedication, courage and pioneering spirit. It marks another milestone towards our own Human Space Flight Mission - Gaganyaan," he wrote on X.

When PM Modi interacted with Shukla

Earlier on June 28, PM Modi interacted with Shukla for nearly 30 minutes, where he applauded his journey from Uttar Pradesh to space. Shukla created history on Wednesday by embarking on a journey to the International Space Station (ISS) as part of a commercial mission operated by Axiom Space, along with three other astronauts.

"Shubhanshu, today you are the farthest from the land of India, but the closest to the hearts of every Indian," the prime minister told Shukla in an interaction through a video link from the International Space Station, which is orbiting the earth at an altitude of 400 km.
PM Modi said that Shukla's name carries the word 'shubh' (auspicious), and that his journey marked the auspicious beginning of a new era.

How much ISRO paid for Shukla’s travel

According to ISRO, following a series of orbital manoeuvres after undocking Crew Dragon spacecraft is expected to splash down near the coast of California on July 15, 2025, at 3 pm IST. “Post splashdown, the Gaganyatri will undergo a rehabilitation program (about 7 days) under supervision of Flight Surgeon to adapt back to Earth’s gravity,” the ISRO said in an update on the Axiom-4 mission.

ISRO paid approximately Rs 550 crore for Shukla’s travel to the ISS – an experience that will help the space agency in planning and execution of its human spaceflight programme, Gaganyaan, set to take to orbit in 2027.

(With inputs from agencies)