New Delhi , July 15 (HS): Indian astronaut Shubhanshu Shukla has returned to Earth after an 18-day stay aboard the International Space Station (ISS) as part of the Axiom-4 mission. Along with three companions, he landed safely off the California coast following a 23-hour journey.

The team departed the ISS a day earlier and is currently under medical supervision. The other astronauts include Peggy Whitson, Slawosz Uznanski-Wisniewski, and Tibor Kapu. They reached the ISS on June 26 after launching from Kennedy Space Center on June 25 via a SpaceX Falcon-9 rocket.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi expressed pride in Shukhla's achievements, highlighting his contribution to India's human spaceflight mission, Gaganyaan, and his potential to inspire future generations.

In a post on X, he wrote:

“I join the nation in welcoming Group Captain Shubhanshu Shukla as he returns to Earth from his historic mission to Space. As India’s first astronaut to have visited International Space Station, he has inspired a billion dreams through his dedication, courage and pioneering spirit. It marks another milestone towards our own Human Space Flight Mission - Gaganyaan.”

Hindusthan Samachar / Jun Sarkar