New Delhi: Indian Air Force Group Captain Shubhanshu Shukla, currently on board the International Space Station (ISS) as part of the private Axiom Mission 4 (Ax-4), is scheduled to return to Earth on July 15, according to the mission timeline released by Axiom Space.
The #Ax4 crew is scheduled to undock from the @Space_Station no earlier than Monday, July 14, at 7:05 a.m. ET. pic.twitter.com/o6olQx50II
— Axiom Space (@Axiom_Space) July 10, 2025
The Crew Dragon spacecraft “Grace”, carrying Shukla and three other international astronauts, will undock from the ISS on July 14 at approximately 4:35 pm IST (7:05 am EDT), subject to weather conditions. The capsule is expected to splash down in the Pacific Ocean off the coast of California around 3:00 pm IST on July 15.
Shukla and three crew members lifted off from NASA’s Kennedy Space Center in Florida on June 25. They docked with the space station on June 26.
Group Captain Shukla, who became the first Indian astronaut to visit the ISS, has spent nearly three weeks in orbit, conducting over 60 scientific experiments, including seven developed by ISRO. These include studies on microalgae growth, muscle regeneration, tardigrades (water bears), and plant biology in microgravity.
Four of ISRO’s seven experiments have been successfully completed, while the remaining three are nearing conclusion, reported the NDTV.
The mission has also offered lighter moments for the astronauts. Shukla and his fellow crew members were seen enjoying a “joyous dinner” aboard the ISS, including shrimp cocktails and crackers, underscoring the relatively relaxed living conditions aboard the station during such missions.
One of the most unforgettable evenings I’ve experienced on this mission was sharing a meal with new friends, Ax-4, aboard the International @Space_Station.
We swapped stories and marveled at how people from diverse backgrounds and nations came together to represent humanity in… pic.twitter.com/hdzXxrwLaV
— Jonny Kim (@JonnyKimUSA) July 10, 2025
Shukla’s re-entry marks a significant milestone for India’s space ambitions. Upon return, he will undergo a seven-day recovery and medical evaluation as part of ISRO’s post-flight protocol. His experience aboard Ax-4 is expected to play a crucial role in shaping future Indian missions, especially Gaganyaan-4, ISRO’s first fully indigenous crewed space mission slated for 2027, where Shukla is expected to fly again.
Live coverage of the undocking and splashdown will be streamed by NASA and Axiom Space, giving space enthusiasts an opportunity to witness Shukla’s historic return.
