India’s space journey enters a new era as astronaut Shubhanshu Shukla and the Axiom-4 crew begin their journey back to Earth after an 18-day mission aboard the International Space Station. The SpaceX Dragon spacecraft undocked at 4:45 PM IST on Monday and is expected to splash down off the coast of California on July 15. Shukla, the second Indian to travel to space after Rakesh Sharma, served as the mission pilot. He conducted critical experiments on muscle loss, microalgae-based nutrition, and mental health in space. In a heartfelt farewell from the ISS, Shukla paid tribute to India’s growing confidence and ambition on the global stage.

Axiom Mission 4 marks a historic milestone as Indian Air Force Group Captain Shubhanshu Shukla becomes the second Indian national to travel to space after 40 years. Launched aboard a SpaceX Dragon spacecraft, the Ax-4 mission includes astronauts from India, Poland, and Hungary — all visiting the ISS for the first time. As a mission pilot, Shukla plays a key role in the 14-day research-driven mission. From cutting-edge microgravity experiments to India’s rising presence in global space exploration, here’s all about the Axiom 4 mission.