Srinagar, July 15: Group Captain Shubhanshu Shukla, India’s Gaganyatri, has safely returned to Earth after a historic space mission. The SpaceX crew capsule Grace, carrying Group Captain Shukla and fellow astronauts, splashed down in the Pacific Ocean off the coast of San Diego, California, shortly after 3 PM IST. Nearly 50 minutes later, he emerged from the spacecraft, marking the end of a landmark journey.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi said he “inspired a billion dreams”. “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,” the Prime Minister posted on X.
According to Union Minister Jitendra Singh, Group Captain Shukla is scheduled to return to Delhi on August 17.
An accomplished Indian Air Force pilot, Shukla becomes only the second Indian to travel into space, following Wing Commander Rakesh Sharma’s mission in 1984. However, he makes history as the first Indian to visit the International Space Station (ISS), a $150-billion orbital research facility.
His mission is being hailed as a moment of national pride, inspiring countless Indians with his courage, determination, and contribution to India’s growing presence in space exploration.
This mission also positions India as a serious contender in the global space community. Sharma spent a little over seven days in space aboard the Soviet space station Salyut-7. During his stay aboard the ISS, Shukla conducted seven India-specific microgravity experiments, showcasing India’s growing capabilities in space science and technology. These experiments are designed to generate critical data for future planetary missions and long-duration space habitation. Group Captain Shukla will now undergo a medical rehabilitation of about a week to adjust to the gravity.
