On July 15, 2025, Indian astronaut Group Captain Shubhanshu Shukla and his Axiom-4 crew made a historic splashdown in the Pacific Ocean. Their SpaceX Dragon spacecraft landed off the coast of San Diego, California, at around 3 pm IST. This mission is significant for India, as Shukla is only the second Indian to travel to space, following Rakesh Sharma. He is also the first Indian to visit the International Space Station (ISS).
The crew launched into space on June 25 and spent nearly three weeks aboard the ISS. During their stay, they conducted over 60 scientific experiments. The Axiom-4 team brought back more than 580 pounds of cargo, including NASA hardware and valuable data from their research activities.
The return journey began when the Dragon spacecraft undocked from the ISS at approximately 4:50 pm IST. It took around 22.5 hours to reach Earth. The splashdown was a smooth process, aided by four parachutes that helped stabilize the capsule during its descent.
A video of the splashdown captures the Dragon capsule slowly descending into the ocean. This safe landing method is preferred for returning astronauts from space. Splashdowns are generally simpler and safer than runway landings, which require more complex systems and have higher costs.
The Axiom-4 mission marked a significant milestone not just for India, but also for Poland and Hungary, whose astronauts participated in this historic flight. This mission was the first government-sponsored space flight for each of these nations in over four decades.
Shukla served as the pilot for the Axiom-4 mission, alongside his crewmates: veteran astronaut Peggy Whitson, European Space Agency (ESA) astronaut Slawosz “Suave” Uznanski-Wisniewski from Poland, and Hungarian astronaut Tibor Kapu. Their successful mission demonstrates international collaboration in human spaceflight.
Following the splashdown, the astronauts will undergo a brief acclimatisation period. They are expected to share their experiences and findings from the ISS in the coming weeks, contributing to further research and exploration efforts.
The Axiom-4 mission has opened new doors for future space exploration in India and beyond. With the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) planning its own human spaceflight programme, known as Gaganyaan, this successful mission serves as an inspiring example of what can be achieved through dedication and teamwork in the field of space science.
As the world watches these developments, Shubhanshu Shukla’s journey inspires many young people in India and around the globe to dream big and reach for the stars.