‘Moment of satisfaction’: Shubhanshu Shukla, 2nd Indian in area, returns home | India News

New Delhi: Delhi Chief Minister Rekha Gupta receives Astronaut Shubhanshu Shukla upon his arrival on the Indira Gandhi International (IGI) Airport, in New Delhi, early Sunday, Aug. 17, 2025.

NEW DELHI: Group Captain Shubhanshu Shukla, solely the second Indian in area, returned to the nation early Sunday after finishing the Nasa-led Axiom-4 mission to the International Space Station (ISS). Shukla, who splashed down off the coast of California on July 15 after an 18-day keep aboard the ISS, was acquired at Delhi’s Indira Gandhi International Airport by his spouse Kamna, Union minister Jitendra Singh, and Delhi chief minister Rekha Gupta. The Indian Air Force take a look at pilot grew to become the primary Indian in 41 years—since Wing Commander Rakesh Sharma in 1984—to journey to area, and the primary ever to go to the ISS. The mission launched from Nasa’s Kennedy Space Center in Florida on June 25. Ahead of his return, Shukla posted an emotional notice on X, writing:“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 one 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 added that his commander, veteran astronaut Peggy Whitson, often reminded him: “The only constant in spaceflight is change.”During his stay aboard the ISS, Shukla conducted multiple scientific experiments. According to Isro, his work will feed directly into preparations for India’s Gaganyaan human spaceflight programme, which begins with an unmanned mission later this year. The Axiom-4 mission marked a significant step in India’s growing human spaceflight ambitions, with Shukla’s contributions expected to lay the groundwork for sending an Indian astronaut to space aboard an indigenous spacecraft in the coming years.