VIDEO: Shubhanshu Shukla’s Home Journey Begins As ISS Crew Undocks; Hometown Lucknow Watches With Pride

Group Capt. Shubhanshu Shukla set to undock from ISS on July 14. His emotional farewell recalls India's space legacy. Family awaits return in Lucknow.

Shubhanshu Shukla begins undocking from ISS after 18-day mission.

Source : Twitter/@mygovindia

India’s Group Captain Shubhanshu Shukla is set to return to Earth as the undocking process for four astronauts aboard the International Space Station (ISS) gets underway. Scheduled for today, Monday, July 14, at 4:35 p.m. IST (7:05 a.m. ET), the undocking marks the conclusion of his 18-day mission as part of the Ax-4 crew.

A farewell ceremony held aboard the ISS on Sunday turned emotional as Shukla addressed his fellow astronauts and the world with a powerful message, one that echoed the legacy of India’s first astronaut, Rakesh Sharma.

VIDEO | The undocking process from the International Space Station (ISS) has begun for four astronauts, including Group Captain Shubhanshu Shukla. They are scheduled to undock from the ISS on Monday, July 14, at 4:35 p.m. IST (7:05 a.m. ET).

(Source: Third party)

(Full video… pic.twitter.com/rxfC4Q3TXW

— Press Trust of India (@PTI_News) July 14, 2025

Family Awaits In Lucknow With Pride And Prayers

Back home in Lucknow, Shukla’s family is eagerly awaiting his safe return. Speaking to ANI, his mother Asha Shukla expressed heartfelt emotions:

“If we had our way, we would rush to meet him there. But that is not possible.”

She shared that the family has been spiritually preparing for this moment with deep faith and gratitude.

Meanwhile, Union Minister Dr. Jitendra Singh noted that “these timings have a margin window of approximately 1 hour,” indicating that while undocking is scheduled, flexibility is built into the return process.

Shubhanshu Shukla’s Emotional Space Tribute To India

During the farewell, Group Capt. Shukla paid tribute to India’s evolving space identity by quoting Rakesh Sharma's historic words:

"Aaj ka Bharat abhi bhi saare jahaan se acha dikhta hai."

He went on to reflect on India’s growing confidence in the space domain, saying, "Aaj ka Bharat space se mahatvakaanshi dikhta hai, aaj ka bharat space se nidar dikhta hai, aaj ka Bharat confident dikhta hai, aaj ka Bharat garv se poorn dikhta hai aur inhi sab kaarano ki vajah se aaj mai fir se keh sakta hoon ki aaj ka bharat abhi bhi saare jahaan se acha dikhta hai."