Indian astronaut Shubhanshu Shukla is scheduled to return to Earth on July 15, 2025, concluding a historic 14-day mission aboard the International Space Station (ISS) as part of the Axiom-4 (Ax-4) commercial spaceflight. The mission marks a significant milestone for India's space program and human spaceflight ambitions.

Group Captain Shukla, the first Indian to visit the ISS, along with his crewmates—commander Peggy Whitson, and mission specialists Slawosz Uznanski-Wisniewski and Tibor Kapu—are set to undock from the space station on July 14 at 4:35 PM IST (7:05 AM ET). Following a series of orbital maneuvers, their SpaceX Crew Dragon spacecraft is expected to splash down off the coast of California on July 15 at 3:00 PM IST [1][2].

The Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) confirmed that Shukla is in good health and high spirits as he prepares for his return journey. "Gaganyatri Shubhanshu is in good health condition and in high spirit," ISRO stated in an update [3].

During his time on the ISS, Shukla conducted several crucial experiments in microgravity, contributing to India's space research portfolio and supporting future human spaceflight programs. These experiments included:

Decoding muscle loss in microgravity Developing a brain-computer interface Studying the growth of cyanobacteria for potential life support systems [4]

The mission, which cost ISRO approximately ₹550 crore, is considered vital for India's Gaganyaan program, the country's ambitious human spaceflight initiative [4]. ISRO's flight surgeons have been closely monitoring Shukla's health and psychological well-being throughout the mission [3].

Upon return, Shukla and his crewmates will undergo a seven-day rehabilitation program under the supervision of flight surgeons to readapt to Earth's gravity [1][2]. This process is standard for astronauts returning from extended periods in microgravity.

The Crew Dragon spacecraft will bring back over 580 pounds of cargo, including NASA hardware and data from more than 60 experiments conducted during the mission [6]. This valuable scientific payload is expected to contribute significantly to ongoing research in various fields.

As the mission concludes, it not only represents a personal achievement for Shukla but also a major step forward for India's space exploration efforts. The success of this mission paves the way for future Indian astronauts and strengthens the country's position in the global space community.

NASA will provide live coverage of the undocking and departure of the Ax-4 mission on NASA+, beginning at 4:30 AM EDT (2:00 PM IST) on July 14 [8]. The coverage will continue until approximately 30 minutes after undocking, after which Axiom Space and SpaceX will take over the broadcast.

As India celebrates this historic achievement, the scientific community eagerly awaits the results of the experiments conducted during the mission, which are expected to have far-reaching implications for future space exploration and life support systems in space.