Updated Jul 15, 2025, 18:08 IST Shubhanshu Shukla Return Live: Astronaut Shubhanshu Shukla and three others of the commercial Axiom-4 mission are on track to return to Earth with a splash down off San Diego in California on Tuesday at 3:01 pm. The journey to Earth is 22.5-hours-long, that the crew is undertaking after an 18-day stay at the International Space Station. "Dragon and the @Axiom_Space Ax-4 crew are on track to reenter Earth's atmosphere and splash down off the coast of San Diego at ~2:31 am PT today (3:01 pm IST, Tuesday)," SpaceX, the transporter for the Axiom-4 mission, said in a post on X. It said the spacecraft will also announce its arrival with a brief sonic boom prior to splashing down in the Pacific Ocean. Group Captain Shubhanshu Shukla's mission, the Axiom Mission 4 (Ax-4), was a significant milestone for India in human spaceflight. Here's a brief description: 1. First Indian at ISS: Shubhanshu Shukla became the first Indian astronaut to visit the International Space Station (ISS) and only the second Indian to travel to space after Rakesh Sharma in 1984. 2. Scientific Research: During his 18-day scientific mission aboard the ISS (launched on June 25, 2025), he and his crewmates conducted more than 60 experiments across various fields including human health, space agriculture, mental well-being, and space suit materials. Key Contributions: Shukla specifically focused on projects like: 1. Testing glucose monitors in microgravity, aiming to enable diabetic individuals to participate in future space missions. 2. Space farming experiments, such as germinating moong and methi seeds and cultivating microalgae, crucial for developing sustainable life-support systems for long-duration missions. 3. Experiments designed by the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO), providing vital data for India's upcoming indigenous human spaceflight mission, Gaganyaan. International Collaboration: The Ax-4 mission was a collaborative effort involving Axiom Space, NASA, and SpaceX, with astronauts from multiple countries. Significance for India: Shukla's mission not only re-established India's presence in human space exploration but also laid crucial groundwork for the Gaganyaan mission, highlighting India's growing capabilities in space research and its commitment to contributing to global space endeavors. He expressed immense pride in India's advancements from space, echoing Rakesh Sharma's famous words. Jul 15, 2025 17:16 IST Shubhanshu Shukla Homecoming LIVE: Rajnath Singh Speaks to Shubhanshu Shukla’s Father, Calls Astronaut’s Return a Moment of National Pride Defence minister Rajnath Singh spoke with Shukla's father and expressed happiness on his return. Singh also told his father that the entire country is proud of his son, according to ANI. Jul 15, 2025 16:18 IST LIVE: 'Welcome Back to Earth': First Pic of Shubhanshu Shukla Exiting Dragon Spacecraft Out! Jul 15, 2025 16:14 IST Shubhanshu Shukla Return LIVE: Group Captain Shubhanshu Shukla's family celebrates as Axiom-4 Dragon spacecraft returns to Earth Jul 15, 2025 15:27 IST Shubhanshu Shukla Return LIVE | 'He has inspired a billion dreams through his dedication': PM Modi On Shukla's return Jul 15, 2025 15:19 IST Shubhanshu Shukla Returns LIVE: First Visuals OF Dragon's Splashdown Jul 15, 2025 15:14 IST Shubhanshu Shukla Earth Return Live Updates: 'Happy To Be back,' says Axiom-4 Commander Peggy Whitson Happy to be back, says Axiom-4 commander Peggy Whitson as Dragon spacecraft splashes down. Jul 15, 2025 15:09 IST Shubhanshu Shukla Earth Return Live Updates: First Visuals of Indian Astaunat's Homecoming Jul 15, 2025 15:04 IST Shubhanshu Shukla Earth Return Live Updates: Axiom-4 Crew Back on Earth! Ax-4 crew has splashed down in the Pacific Ocean off the coast of California Jul 15, 2025 15:01 IST Shubhanshu Shukla Earth Return Live Updates: 600 Metres For Splashdown The Ax-4 crew is set for splash down in the Pacific Ocean off the coast of California soon. Jul 15, 2025 15:00 IST Shubhanshu Shukla Earth Return Live Updates: Main Parachutes Deployed, Spalshdown Soon The main parachutes deployed at roughly two km before splashdown. Jul 15, 2025 14:55 IST Shubhanshu Shukla Earth Return Live Updates: Axiom-4 Crew Witnessed 300 Sunrises and Sunsets The crew also witnessed over 300 sunrises and sunsets from the orbital lab. Jul 15, 2025 14:46 IST Shubhanshu Shukla Earth Return Live Updates: Axiom-4 Crew Returning Aboard Dragon 'Grace' Spacecraft Shukla is returning aboard the Dragon 'Grace' spacecraft, which undocked from the ISS at 4:45 pm IST on Monday. Jul 15, 2025 14:38 IST Shubhanshu Shukla Earth Return Live Updates: 'Praying For His Safe Landing, Says Astronaut's Father Shubhanshu Shukla's family in Lucknow is praying for an uncomplicated splashdown so that the planned merrymaking at their residence could begin. The family's home in Triveni Nagar area of the capital is decked up with celebratory lights and posters of "Shux", his nickname, hung outside the house. Jul 15, 2025 14:30 IST LIVE | Axiom-4 Return LIVE | Countdown To Earth | Shubhanshu Shukla's Family Awaits His Return Jul 15, 2025 14:26 IST Shubhanshu Shukla Live: Ax-4 Crew Scheduled to Splashdown at 3:01 p.m After an extraordinary stay aboard the orbital laboratory, the Ax-4 crew is scheduled to splash down in the Pacific Ocean off the coast of California at 3:01 p.m. IST (4:31 AM CT). Jul 15, 2025 14:14 IST Shubhanshu Shukla Earth Return Live: Dragon Spacecraft Of Axiom Space Mission On Track To Reenter Earth's Atmosphere, Says SpaceX The Dragon spacecraft carrying IAF Group Captain Shubhanshu Shukla and three other astronauts, part of the Axiom Space Mission-4 (Ax-4), is on track to reenter Earth’s atmosphere and will splashdown on Tuesday, said SpaceX. Jul 15, 2025 14:13 IST Shubhanshu Shukla Earth Return LIVE Jul 15, 2025 14:00 IST Shubhanshu Shukla Earth Return Live: Where To Watch Shubhanshu Shukla's Return Trip Live? The Axiom Space X handle is broadcasting the return trip of Indian astronaut Shubhanshu Shukla and Ax-4 crew live. Watch Here. Jul 15, 2025 12:24 IST Shubhanshu Shukla Earth Return Live: Indian Astronaut Completed 7 Experiments At ISS Shubhanshu Shukla completes 7 experiments on ISS, says Indian Space Research Organisation Jul 14, 2025 17:45 IST Shux's Homecoming Journey LIVE: Dragon space craft now on 22.5-hour journey to earth with splashdown off California coast on Tuesday at 3:01 pm IST Load More