Indian astronaut Group Captain Shubhanshu Shukla has shared an emotional Instagram post as he heads back home after completing his 18-day mission aboard the International Space Station (ISS).

Astronaut reflects on mixed emotions

In his heartfelt message, written from the aircraft, Shukla expressed the whirlwind of emotions he felt while leaving behind his fellow astronauts, who had been his family during the mission. “As I sit on the plane to come back to India, I have a mix of emotions running through my heart. I feel sad leaving a fantastic group of people behind who were my friends and family for the past year during this mission. I am also excited about meeting all my friends, family and everyone in the country for the first time post mission. I guess this is what life is — everything all at once,” he wrote.

Acknowledges support and inspiration

The astronaut thanked everyone for the love and support he received throughout his journey. He also recalled the words of his commander Peggy Whitson, saying, “Goodbyes are hard, but we need to keep moving in life. As my commander Peggy Whitson fondly says, ‘The only constant in spaceflight is change’. I believe that applies to life as well.”

Shukla ended his note with a line from the song Yun Hi Chala Chal from the film Swades, reflecting his spirit of resilience.

Link to India’s space ambitions

Shukla’s return comes at a crucial time as India advances its space programme. Prime Minister Narendra Modi had earlier mentioned that the astronaut would soon return and that he was tasked with documenting his training and ISS stay. This record will serve as a valuable reference for Gaganyaan, India’s first human spaceflight mission.

Over the past year, Shukla trained extensively at NASA, Axiom, and SpaceX facilities. His flight to the ISS as part of the Axiom 4 mission marked a milestone in India’s preparations for future human space exploration.

The Gaganyaan project aims to send Indian astronauts into orbit aboard an indigenous rocket. The government has also outlined plans for a Bharatiya Antariksh Station by 2035 and a crewed mission to the moon by 2040.

Group Captain Shubhanshu Shukla of the Indian Air Force has etched his name in history as the second Indian astronaut to travel to space. Launching aboard the SpaceX Crew Dragon on the Axiom-4 mission, Shukla began his journey from NASA’s Kennedy Space Center in Florida, from the very launchpad that propelled Neil Armstrong’s Apollo 11 moon mission in 1969.

Four decades after Wing Commander Rakesh Sharma became the first Indian to journey into space in 1984, Shukla’s mission marks a monumental milestone for India’s space ambitions. Speaking ahead of the mission, Shukla expressed the emotional weight of the moment, saying, “I carry with me not just instruments and equipment, but the hopes and dreams of a billion hearts.”

A multinational crew on a scientific journey

Group Captain Shukla is joined by Commander Peggy Whitson from the US, Slawosz Uznanski-Wisniewski from Poland, and Tibor Kapu from Hungary. The four-member crew is on a mission to the International Space Station (ISS), where they are scheduled to arrive after a 28-hour journey and dock around 4:30 pm tomorrow.

The fortnight-long mission includes the execution of 60 scientific experiments, with seven of them designed by Indian researchers. Shukla is also expected to engage in an interaction with a VIP from space during the mission, adding a special human touch to this scientific voyage.

A mission delayed, but not denied

The Axiom-4 launch had faced multiple delays due to unfavorable weather and technical complications. June 25 finally saw the successful launch, marking NASA’s sixth official date announcement for the mission.

Before lift-off, Shukla shared a heartfelt message with his family: “Just wait for me, I’m coming.” The Indian pilot had been under quarantine for over a month in preparation, ensuring he was in optimal health for the journey.

As the spacecraft orbits Earth en route to the ISS, India watches with pride and anticipation, inspired once again by the courage of its space pioneers.

The first visuals of Group Captain Shubhanshu Shukla, seated inside the SpaceX Crew Dragon spacecraft, have been released ahead of his historic space mission. Set for lift-off at 12:01 pm IST from NASA’s Kennedy Space Center in Florida, the mission marks India’s second manned space journey, nearly 40 years after Wing Commander Rakesh Sharma’s iconic flight in 1984.

Shukla, an Indian Air Force pilot, is part of the Axiom-4 mission, which includes three other astronauts—mission specialists Slawosz Uznanski-Wisniewski of Poland, Tibor Kapu of Hungary, and commander Peggy Whitson from the United States. The spacecraft will launch atop a Falcon-9 rocket from Launch Complex 39A, the same historic site from where Neil Armstrong began his Apollo 11 moon mission in 1969.

Ahead of the flight, Shukla has undergone over a month of quarantine to ensure optimal health. In a recent statement, he shared an emotional sentiment, saying, “I carry with me not just instruments and equipment, but the hopes and dreams of a billion hearts.”

A mission driven by science and collaboration

The Axiom-4 mission is a fortnight-long journey with a robust scientific agenda. The crew is scheduled to conduct 60 experiments during the mission—seven of which have been proposed by Indian scientists. These experiments span various disciplines, from microgravity effects to advanced biomedical research.

Launch timeline and earlier delays

Today’s launch is the sixth scheduled attempt by NASA, following multiple postponements due to weather conditions and technical challenges. The anticipation for this flight has only grown with each delay, and the successful launch would mark a major milestone in both international cooperation and India’s growing footprint in space exploration.

A symbolic step for India’s space aspirations

As India awaits this monumental achievement, Shukla’s journey symbolizes not just national pride but also the country’s strategic shift towards global collaboration in space missions. His participation in the mission aligns with India’s future ambitions in human spaceflight, including the indigenous Gaganyaan mission.