Astronaut Shubhanshu Shukla Returns for Space Day
Group Captain Shubhanshu Shukla, the first Indian to visit the International Space Station (ISS), is set to return to India on Sunday, August 17, after completing an 18-day mission followed by rehabilitation in the United States.
Emotional Return on the Horizon
Shukla shared that he feels both sadness about leaving his team at the ISS and joy about reuniting with his family and country. His homecoming marks a symbolic step in India’s human spaceflight journey.
Plans Include Meeting PM and Space Day Event
After his return, Shukla is expected to meet Prime Minister Narendra Modi in Delhi. He will also attend the National Space Day celebrations on August 23, where he will recount his experiences from space and inspire young students.
Mission’s Significance for India’s Space Programme
Shukla’s mission as part of the Axiom-4 crew involved multiple India-specific experiments and has been a vital precursor to the Indian Space Research Organisation’s Gaganyaan mission planned for 2027. His successful flight and return are viewed as a major boost to India’s growing ambitions in space exploration.
