As Indian astronaut and Group Captain Shubhanshu Shukla prepares to return to Earth on July 15 after an 18-day mission aboard the International Space Station (ISS), celebrations have already begun across the country. For the political class, his journey has become a rare unifier, with leaders from Shiv Sena (UBT) to the BJP calling it a moment of national pride and scientific achievement.
Shukla, who became the first Indian in 41 years to reach the ISS, flew as part of Axiom Mission 4 (Ax-4), a private mission aimed at expanding microgravity research. His return journey began on July 14 at 4:30 PM IST, when the Ax-4 crew undocked from the ISS. If all goes as scheduled, they will splash down in the Pacific Ocean off the coast of California around 3:00 PM IST on July 15.
Back home, the political spectrum is united in applause.
“This is a moment of immense pride,” said Anand Dubey of Shiv Sena (UBT), noting that very few ever achieve what Shukla has. “He’s made the entire country proud. Everyone is eagerly waiting to hear his experiences from space.”
Echoing similar sentiments, BJP leader Sanjay Upadhyay highlighted the significance of the mission for India’s scientific community. “It’s a proud moment for the entire country. Students and young scientists are waiting to hear his story. His journey will inspire future generations and push the boundaries of what’s possible.”
BJP MP Agnimitra Paul linked the achievement to India’s larger trajectory of global excellence, stating, “He is coming back after successfully completing crucial experiments in space. Thanks to the vision of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Indians today are making their mark on global platforms across all fields.”
During his time aboard the ISS, Shukla and his Ax-4 crew carried out over 60 advanced scientific experiments across fields like biology, materials science, human health, and artificial intelligence. Among them were at least seven experiments designed by the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO), directly contributing to India’s upcoming Gaganyaan human spaceflight mission.
One particularly notable effort involved photographing six varieties of crop seeds in microgravity. The seeds, post-mission, will undergo genetic analysis to support research in space-based agriculture, a growing area of interest as space agencies globally look towards long-term human survival in off-Earth environments.
Speaking to Axiom Space Chief Scientist Dr. Lucie Low during the mission, Shukla described his role as both personal and national. “I feel proud to serve as a bridge between the researchers and the station, to conduct research on their behalf,” he said, reflecting the growing collaborative nature of space exploration.
As India watches the final phase of his journey unfold, Shukla’s mission has come to symbolize not just personal achievement, but a wider national aspiration, one that blends science, pride, and the quiet determination to reach beyond Earth’s limits.
