Indian Astronaut Shukla to Return from ISS on July 15

Shubhanshu Shukla, India’s astronaut currently aboard the International Space Station (ISS), will return to Earth on July 15, the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) confirmed.

Shukla will travel back with three other astronauts — Peggy Whitson, Sławosz Uznański-Wiśniewski, and Tibor Kapu — inside the SpaceX Crew Dragon spacecraft. The team will undock from the ISS’s Harmony module on July 14.

According to ISRO, the Crew Dragon will perform several space maneuvers before it splashes down in the ocean near the California coast on July 15 at 3:00 PM IST.

“Gaganyatri Shubhanshu is in good health and high spirits,” ISRO said in its statement.

India’s Historic ISS Mission

IAF Group Captain Shukla is on a 14-day mission and is the first Indian to visit the ISS. He is also the second Indian astronaut to travel into space after Rakesh Sharma in 1984.

During his stay, Shukla performed several scientific experiments in microgravity, created through a joint effort by ISRO, the Department of Biotechnology (DBT), and NASA.

Key Space Experiments

Shukla worked on seven experiments, of which four are complete and three are nearly done. These studies are crucial for India’s future missions like Gaganyaan and the Bhartiya Antariksha Station.

The four completed experiments include:

• Tardigrades: Studying survival, growth, and genes of space-exposed microscopic animals

• Myogenesis: Effects of space on human muscle cells

• Seed Sprouting: Growth of methi (fenugreek) and moong (green gram) for crew nutrition

• Cyanobacteria: Growth of algae to support future space life systems

The remaining three experiments are on microalgae, crop seeds, and the Voyager display system.

ISRO said that the finished samples are being prepared to return to Earth for deeper analysis.

Final Preparations Before Return

NASA stated that the Ax-4 crew will wrap up their experiments on Saturday, including:

• Electrical muscle stimulation tests

• Thermal comfort suit material trials

• Crew activity videos for behavioral studies

On Sunday, the astronauts will start packing science gear, personal items, and other cargo into the Dragon spacecraft.

After landing, Shukla and the other astronauts will spend about seven days in rehabilitation, under medical supervision to adjust to Earth’s gravity. ISRO’s team of flight surgeons is monitoring his health closely through medical and psychological sessions.