August 17, 2025

India’s pride, Astronaut Shubhanshu Shukla, touched down at Indira Gandhi International Airport in Delhi early Sunday, August 17, 2025, after a stellar journey to the International Space Station (ISS). The crowd included Union Minister Jitendra Singh, Delhi Chief Minister Rekha Gupta, and ISRO Chairman V. Narayanan, all there to celebrate his safe and victorious return. Shubhanshu wasn’t alone — his backup astronaut, Prashanth Balakrishnan Nair, also came home with flying colors! The excitement was palpable as Mr. Shukla, who trained hard for a year in the U.S. for NASA’s Axiom-4 mission, stepped onto Indian soil. This mission, which blasted off on June 25 from NASA’s Kennedy Space Center in Florida and docked with the ISS on June 26, lasted 18 amazing days. Alongside astronauts Peggy Whitson (USA), Slawosz Uznanski-Wisniewski (Poland), and Tibor Kapu (Hungary), Shubhanshu conducted over 60 scientific experiments and 20 outreach sessions. At the airport, Mr. Singh called Shubhanshu “the iconic son of Mother India” and highlighted the presence of Prashanth, who was India’s designated backup for this historic space journey. Shubhanshu’s heartfelt Instagram post showed his mixed feelings leaving behind his space family and friends, but also his eager anticipation to reunite with his loved ones and share his cosmic experiences. Quoting his commander Peggy Whitson, he said, “The only constant in spaceflight is change,” a saying he also finds true in life. Prime Minister Narendra Modi mentioned Shubhanshu’s successful mission during the 79th Independence Day speech at the Red Fort, noting India’s plan to develop its own space station. He said, “Our Group Captain Shubhanshu Shukla has returned from the space station. In the coming days, he is returning to India.” Shubhanshu and Prashanth also took part in Independence Day celebrations at the Indian Consulate in Houston just before heading back home. After his return, Shubhanshu is expected to meet the Prime Minister and visit his hometown Lucknow. He will also be a special guest at the National Space Day events in Delhi on August 22 and 23. From space to Earth, this Gaganyatri’s journey has captured the hearts of millions, inspiring dreamers across India and beyond. Isn’t that a rocket ride worth cheering for?

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Tags: Shubhanshu shukla, Axiom-4 mission, International space station, Indian astronaut, Space mission, Rekha gupta,