Shubhanshu Shukla Returns to Earth Today After Historic ISS Mission
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Summary: Shubhanshu Shukla and crew aboard Dragon 'Grace' to splash down today after an 18-day ISS mission, marking India’s first private space venture.
Indian Air Force Group Captain Shubhanshu Shukla is on his way back to Earth after completing a successful 18-day mission aboard the International Space Station (ISS) as part of the Axiom-4 mission. His return marks a huge moment in India's space journey, being the country’s first astronaut to participate in a private spaceflight mission.
The SpaceX Dragon capsule 'Grace' is expected to splash down off the coast of California on July 15 at about 3:01 PM IST, having undocked from the ISS on July 14 at 4:35 PM IST. The spacecraft faces extremely high temperatures and travels at over 27,000 km/h over the re-entry phase, with parachutes expected to open shortly before landing.
Shukla and his international teammates orbited Earth over 300 times, covered nearly 13 million kilometers, and conducted more than 60 scientific experiments, including the notable “Sprouts Project”, which focused on plant growth in microgravity.
NASA, SpaceX, and Axiom Space are live-streaming the capsule's landing. Shukla's family is excitedly watching from their home in Lucknow, where they have scheduled special screenings to honor this significant day.
After landing, the crew will undergo a week-long rehabilitation to help their bodies adjust back to Earth's gravity.
Shukla's journey is a turning point for India, laying the path for future collaboration while offering momentum for the country's own Gaganyaan mission soon.
