20:52 (IST) 15 Jul 2025 Shubhanshu Shukla Return Live: Astronaut likely to arrive in India by Aug 17 Union minister Jitendra Singh said Group Captain Shubhanshu Shukla is expected to arrive in India by August 17 following a series of post-mission procedures. "There are certain SOPs to be followed... His rehabilitation, debriefing sessions and a series of discussions with Team ISRO. We might expect him in Delhi by August 17," Singh told PTI. 19:04 (IST) 15 Jul 2025 Shubhanshu Shukla Return Live: What did Axiom 4 mission accomplish? The Axiom-4 crew conducted 60 scientific experiments during their stay, including seven designed by ISRO along with Indian research institutions and universities. ISRO said the Ax-04 mission will provide valuable inputs for the upcoming Gaganyaan mission and offer hands-on experience in the nuances of international crew integration, medical and psychological preparation, real-time health telemetry, experiment execution and crew–ground coordination. It said these insights will directly influence mission planning, safety validation and astronaut readiness for India's first indigenous human spaceflight mission. 16:53 (IST) 15 Jul 2025 Shubhanshu Shukla Return Live: Astronauts undergo medical checks, taken ashore for rehabilitation The Axiom-4 crew were undergoing a medical check-up on board the recovery vehicle before being taken ashore in a helicopter. The four astronauts are expected to spend seven days in rehabilitation as they adjust back to life on Earth under the influence of gravity, unlike the weightlessness experienced in orbit. 16:25 (IST) 15 Jul 2025 Shubhanshu Shukla Return Live: Rajnath Singh speaks to IAF group captain's father Defence Minsiter Rajnath Singh spoke with Shubhanshu Shukla's father, Shambhu Dayal Shukla following the IAF Group Captain's return to earth. Singh expressed happiness on his return and told his father that the entire country is proud of him. "We thank god for the safe landing of Shubhanshu Shukla...Defence Minister Rajnath Singh also blessed Shubhanshu Shukla and extended best wishes to us," his father told ANI. 16:23 (IST) 15 Jul 2025 Shubhanshu Shukla Return Live: Family members jubilant after successful space mission The family of Group Captain Shubhanshu Shukla broke into celebrations on Tuesday as he emerged from the Dragon spacecraft after a nearly 20 day visit to space. "I don't have words to express my happiness...PM Modi also congratulated him," his mother Asha Shukla told ANI. "I am so happy that PM Modi congratulated him. Group Captain Shubhanshu Shukla deserves all the praise...We are very relaxed and happy as he has returned to earth safely," added his sister Shuchi Mishra. 15:57 (IST) 15 Jul 2025 Shubhanshu Shukla Return Live: What comes after exit of astronauts? The crew members are being extricated from the capsule one by one --- with Peggy Whitson, Shubhanshu Shukla, and Sławosz Uznański-Wiśniewski already outside. They will undergo medical checkups before the recovery vessel ferries them to shore. This process is expected to take about an hour. 15:53 (IST) 15 Jul 2025 Shubhanshu Shukla Return Live: IAF pilot exits spacecraft 15:51 (IST) 15 Jul 2025 Shubhanshu Shukla Return Live: Peggy Whitson exits spacecraft The Dragon 'Grace' spacecraft carrying Shukla and three other astronauys made a splashdown off San Diego coast after a 22.5-hour journey from space. NASA retiree turned private astronaut Peggy Whitson was the first to exit the spacecraft after extensive safety checks. The 65-year-old Whitson had retired from NASA in 2018 after a pioneering career that included becoming the US space agency's first female chief astronaut and the first woman ever to command an ISS expedition. She had led the Axiom 4 crew. Whitson radioed mission control moments after splashdown that the crew was "happy to be back". A recovery ship was immediately dispatched to secure the capsule and hoist it from the ocean onto the deck of the vessel. 15:46 (IST) 15 Jul 2025 Shubhanshu Shukla Return Live: First glimpse of astronauts after 18 days in space Astronaut Shubhanshu Shukla has just returned to Earth after an 18-day stay aboard the International Space Station. 15:39 (IST) 15 Jul 2025 Shubhanshu Shukla Return Live: Astronauts to appear within moments 15:29 (IST) 15 Jul 2025 Shubhanshu Shukla Return Live: Dragon spacecraft lifted onto recovery ship The Dragon spacecraft was just lifted onto the recovery ship Shannon. The astronauts will brought out from the capsule once on board. 15:27 (IST) 15 Jul 2025 Shubhanshu Shukla Return Live: Family of IAF Group Captain turn emotional as Dragon touches down | Watch