Shukla returns from ISS AX4 mission, aids India's Gaganyaan plan

Indian Air Force Group Captain Shubhanshu Shukla returned to India early Sunday after an 18-day mission aboard the International Space Station as part of NASA’s private AX4 flight conducted with SpaceX. The second Indian to travel to space expressing pride and gratitude, Shukla is slated to meet Prime Minister Narendra Modi, travel to his hometown of Lucknow, and participate in national space commemorations as India advances its plans for an indigenous crewed program in the coming years.

Shukla’s mission took place aboard the AX4 spacecraft, launched from Florida and docked with the ISS a day later. The four-member crew conducted a wide array of experiments in microgravity and carried out dozens of outreach activities, contributing to India’s broader objective of building domestic capability for human spaceflight. The crew—led by NASA astronaut Peggy Whitson and joined by Polish and Hungarian colleagues—conducted more than 60 experiments and delivered roughly 20 outreach sessions during the mission, which spanned about two and a half weeks in space before returning to Earth in mid-July.

Upon arrival, Shukla was received by senior Indian officials and ISRO leaders in Delhi,...