20:23 (IST) 14 Jul 2025 Shubhanshu Shukla Return Live: 'Landing will also take place smoothly tomorrow' The family of Indian Air Force Group Captain Shubhanshu Shukla has said that they will pray for his safe landing. His father Shambu Dayal Shukla also expressed his joy over the undocking and said that the country is proud of him. "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. We are all very proud of our son. The country is very proud of him that he is coming back after successfully completing the mission," Shambhu Dayal Shukla told ANI. "The undocking has taken place successfully, and we hope that he will land successfully too. We pray that he lands successfully tomorrow," his mother Asha Shukla added. 19:54 (IST) 14 Jul 2025 Shubhanshu Shukla Return Live: Astronaut turns 'water-bender' in zero-gravity Astronaut Shubhanshu Shukla showcased a zero-gravity experiment aboard the International Space Station last week --- using water to illustrate how microgravity transforms everyday physics. The experiment, part of Axiom Space's outreach and scientific mission, highlighted the unique behaviour of water in space. After an 18-day stay at the ISS, Shukla and three others -- commander Peggy Whitson and mission specialists Slawosz Uznanski-Wisniewski of Poland and Tibor Kapu of Hungary -- of the commercial Axiom-4 mission set off on a return journey to Earth on Monday evening. Using surface tension to their advantage, Shukla formed a floating water bubble. "I've become a water bender here in the station," he joked. 18:24 (IST) 14 Jul 2025 Shubhanshu Shukla Return Live: When will Axiom team reach earth? The Dragon space craft is now on 22.5-hour journey to earth with splashdown expected off the California coast on Tuesday at 3:01 pm IST. 17:11 (IST) 14 Jul 2025 Shubhanshu Shukla Return Live: Dragon Grace exits approach ellipsoid The Axiom crew has departed the International Space Station and are now approximately 900 metres away. The spacecraft just exited the approach ellipsoid (considered a major milestone) and is now on a 24 hour safe, free trip trajectory. It is a key safety parameter used to manage traffic and prevent collisions. 16:57 (IST) 14 Jul 2025 Shubhanshu Shukla Return Live: Thruster firing nominal as Dragon departs ISS The SpaceX capsule has separated from the International Space Station --- using short thruster firings to exit the docking area. The Axiom team has confirmed that these have been nominal. Dragon is now approximately 400 metres from the ISS. 16:54 (IST) 14 Jul 2025 Shubhanshu Shukla Return Live: 'To the best pilot in the solar system...' The Axiom team shared some final words with their International Space Station counterparts --- thanking them for their support. "Axiom 4...godspeed and safe journey home to the best pilot in the solar system," the support team responded. 16:49 (IST) 14 Jul 2025 Shubhanshu Shukla Return Live: Axiom 4 begins return journey The Dragon 'Grace' spacecraft has just officially left the International Space Station. It will now travel around 22.5 hours before splashdown off the coast of California. 16:46 (IST) 14 Jul 2025 Shubhanshu Shukla Return Live: Dragon Grace separates from ISS Dragon Grace separates from ISS 16:44 (IST) 14 Jul 2025 Shubhanshu Shukla Return Live: Watch the undocking live