'Milestone Towards Gaganyaan': PM Modi As Astronaut Shubhanshu Shukla Returns After Historic ISS Mission
Group Captain Shubhanshu Shukla returned to Earth on Tuesday after a 22.5-hour journey following a historic 18-day stay at the International Space Station.
Astronaut Shubhanshu Shukla splashed down off San Diego in California on Tuesday along with three others of the commercial Axiom-4 mission. Following his return, Prime Minister Narendra Modi took to X to welcome Shukla, saying how his historic mission to space "marks another milestone towards our own Human Space Flight Mission - Gaganyaan."
"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," PM Modi wrote on X.
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…
— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) July 15, 2025
The Group Captian returned to Earth after a 22.5-hour journey following a historic 18-day stay at the International Space Station.
The Dragon 'Grace' spacecraft carrying Shukla, commander Peggy Whitson, and mission specialists Tibor Kapu of Hungary and Slawosz Uznanski-Wisniewski of Poland, undocked from the ISS at 4:45 PM IST on Monday, July 14.
ISRO paid approximately Rs 550 crore for Shubhanhu Shukla's travel to the ISS. His experience will further help the space agency in the planning and execution of its human spaceflight programme, Gaganyaan, which is set to take to orbit in 2027.
Union Defence Minister Rajnath Singh also took to X to welcome Shukla, calling his return to Earth after the successful ISS mission a "proud moment for every Indian".
"Group Captain Shubhanshu Shukla’s successful return from the historic Axiom-4 mission is a proud moment for every Indian. He has not just touched space, he has lifted India’s aspirations to new heights. His journey to the International Space Station and back is not just a personal milestone, it is a proud stride for India’s growing space ambitions. Wishing him great success in his future endeavours," Singh said.
Union MoS Science and Technology Jitendra Singh also congratulated the Axiom-4 crew on their successful return. Calling it a moment of "pride," Singh said: "A moment of glory for India as one of her illustrious sons returns from a successful voyage… having conducted for the posterity, life-bearing experiments in microgravity, never done before."
"Bharat today finds an enduring Space in the world of Space!" he wrote on X.
Congratulations Team #Axiom4!
— Dr Jitendra Singh (@DrJitendraSingh) July 15, 2025
A moment of pride for the world as “Dragon” successfully splashes down, off the California coast near San Diago.
A moment of glory for India as one of her illustrious sons returns from a successful voyage… having conducted for the posterity,… pic.twitter.com/vZHzykeTQr
Shukla became the first Indian to travel to the ISS. He is also the second Indian astronaut to travel to space after Rakesh Sharma's 1984 odyssey.
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