Shubhanshu Shukla's Homecoming Live Updates: 'Shux' Space Sojourn Ends, Ax-4 Crew Splashes Down In Pacific Ocean

Defence Minister Rajnath Singh on Tuesday said Shubhanshu Shukla has not just touched space, but also "lifted India's aspirations to new heights" after the first Indian astronaut to visit the International Space Station returned to Earth after a 20-day space sojourn. "Group Captain Shubhanshu Shukla's successful return from the historic Axiom-4 mission is a proud moment for every Indian. He has not just touched space, he has lifted India's aspirations to new heights. His journey to the International Space Station and back is not just a personal milestone; it is a proud stride for India's growing space ambitions. Wishing him great success in his future endeavours," Singh posted on X.

The first photos of Group Captain Shubhanshu Shukla after his return to Earth have been officially released, capturing the emotional and historic moments following his 18-day mission aboard the International Space Station (ISS). 

Group Captain Shubhanshu Shukla received an emotional homecoming as he returned to Earth after spending 18 days aboard the International Space Station (ISS). The Indian astronaut, who created history as the first Indian to visit the ISS, splashed down safely in the Pacific Ocean before beginning post-mission quarantine. His wife broke down in tears of relief while his mother, Asha Shukla, expressed gratitude. “My son has safely returned, I thank God,” she told reporters. “I got emotional seeing him back on Earth after so many days in space.” Shukla’s sister, Suchi Shukla, shared a glimpse of his life aboard the ISS. “He showed us the sunrise from his window. It was breathtaking,” she said. “We saw where he slept, ate, and floated in zero gravity. Watching Earth from space through his eyes is something we’ll never forget.” The Axiom-4 mission splashdown was delayed by weather, but Shukla is now safe and healthy. He will undergo mandatory health checks and a week-long quarantine before flying back to India. His family is eagerly waiting to welcome him home.

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…, — Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) July 15, 2025

Indian Air Force Group Captain Shubhanshu Shukla, has safely reached Earth after completing a landmark 15-day mission aboard the International Space Station (ISS). Shukla, along with three other international astronauts, splashed down in the Pacific Ocean off the California coast at 3:01 PM IST on Tuesday aboard SpaceX’s Dragon spacecraft ‘Grace’. The spacecraft undocked from the ISS at around 4:35 AM IST on Monday and completed its de-orbit burn and re-entry as planned, SpaceX confirmed.  

The Dragon spacecraft is hurtling towards Earth at a staggering 26,000 km/hr and is set to splash down in the Pacific Ocean within the next 30 minutes. A brief sonic boom will announce its return before its parachutes deploy in two stages to slow the final descent for a safe splashdown.

The Dragon spacecraft will announce its return to Earth with a brief sonic boom before splashing down in the Pacific Ocean today. The de-orbit burn is scheduled for 2:07 pm IST over the Pacific, marking the start of re-entry. Final steps include detaching the capsule’s trunk at 2:26 pm IST and positioning its heat shield to withstand temperatures of up to 1,600°C. The parachute sequence will begin with stabilising chutes deploying at around 5.7 km altitude at 2:57 pm IST, followed by the main parachutes opening at about 2 km above the ocean before splashdown.

Ahead of the splashdown of the Dragon spacecraft led by Group Captain Shubanshu Shukla, his mother Asha Shukla expressed her pride in her son, who's name had now been written in history. While speaking to ANI, Asha Shukla said, "We are very excited... When we saw the undocking, we knew he was on his way now... We are waiting for our son. He will reach by evening. We prayed for his well-being. We went to the temple and took Hanumaji's Darshan. We did a Sundarkand recitation... We are proud that our son wrote his name in history... We will give him a grand welcome..." In addition to expressing joy at his son's return, Father Shambu Dayal Shukla said that hat the splashdown would be noted down in history. "We are very excited that our son is returning from the mission and landing on Earth. He had made us so proud. It will be noted down in history... We are waiting for his safe landing. It is a day of joy for the entire nation. I thank the entire nation for their prayers... He is our son, but he belongs to the entire nation... We prayed and remembered God..." the father said, speaking to ANI.

Unlike on Earth, astronauts can’t rely on strangers to click a quick group selfie. Instead, Anne McClain, A Crew-10 Commander explained, the crew set up a camera with a timer to take a photo every five seconds. ,

How do we take group photos in space? We cannot ask a passerby for help, so we set up a camera to take a photo every 5 seconds, get in position, then stop to smile at the camera. Looks a little chaotic, but it works! pic.twitter.com/0pJpj0o0gE, — COL Anne McClain (@AstroAnnimal) July 14, 2025

The viral video shows the entire Axiom-4 crew drifting weightlessly, trying to align themselves while the camera clicks in bursts. “It’s a little dance every time. In zero gravity, someone always ends up upside down!” McClain joked. This final group photo has become symbolic of Shukla’s homecoming. “No fancy setup — just teamwork, timing, and a lot of floating around. That’s how you capture memories in space,” she added.

The Dragon spacecraft undocked from the International Space Station (ISS) at 4:13 PM IST on July 14, 2025, beginning its journey back to Earth with the Axiom Space Ax-4 crew on board. After executing a series of precise departure burns, the spacecraft is expected to reenter Earth’s atmosphere and make a controlled splashdown in the Pacific Ocean off the coast of San Diego. Residents near the California coastline may briefly hear a sonic boom as Dragon announces its arrival before landing in the Pacific Ocean.,

The spacecraft will now execute a series of departure burns to move away from the @Space_Station. Dragon will reenter the Earth's atmosphere and splash down in ~22.5 hours off the coast of California pic.twitter.com/5Wmqr3f63Z, — SpaceX (@SpaceX) July 14, 2025