Shubhanshu Shukla Returns to India to a Warm Welcome
Shukla's backup astronaut, Prashanth Balakrishnan Nair, also returned to the homeland
By : Deccan Chronicle
Update: 2025-08-17 01:47 GMT
New Delhi: After the successful completion of the Axiom-4 mission, Indian astronaut Subhanshu Shukla on Sunday returned home to a rousing welcome at Delhi’s Indira Gandhi International Airport. Shukla, who spent nearly a year as part of the international Ax-4 crew, was received by Union minister Jitendra Singh, Delhi Chief Minister Rekha Gupta, and Isro chairman V. Narayanan.
Outside the airport, the atmosphere was electric as large crowds waving the national flag and beating traditional dhols gathered to celebrate his return. Many described the moment as historic, hailing Shukla as a symbol of India’s growing prowess in global space exploration.
Shukla, who became the second Indian to travel to space as part of the Axiom-4 mission, was accompanied by his back-up astronaut designate, Prashanth Balakrishnan Nair. His wife Kamna and son Kiash were also present at the airport and were visibly emotional on being reunited with him after his nearly year-long stay in the US for training and the mission, which took place from June 25 to July 15.
In a brief statement at the airport, Dr Singh highlighted the collaborative nature of the mission and underscored India’s commitment to advancing its space programme. He said Shukla’s achievement would pave the way for future Indian space missions, including the Gaganyaan project.
“Thank you, sir. Surely feels good to be back home,” Shukla posted on X in response to Dr Singh’s message of welcome.
The government has scheduled a special discussion in the Lok Sabha on Monday on the subject ‘India’s first astronaut aboard the International Space Station, critical role of the space programme for Viksit Bharat by 2047’ to mark Shukla’s return. Shukla is also expected to meet Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Monday, travel to his hometown Lucknow, and later return to Delhi to participate in National Space Day celebrations on August 22-23.
Dr Singh wrote on X: “India's space glory touches Indian soil... As the iconic son of Mother India, #Gaganyatri Shubanshu Shukla, lands in Delhi in the early hours of this morning. Accompanying him is another equally accomplished Group Captain Prashanth Balakrishnan Nair, one of the astronauts selected for India’s first human mission Gaganyaan, who served as India’s designated backup for the ISS mission.”
Shukla was part of the Axiom-4 private mission that launched from Florida on June 25 and docked at the International Space Station on June 26. He returned to Earth on July 15. Along with fellow astronauts Peggy Whitson (US), Slawosz Uznanski-Wisniewski (Poland), and Tibor Kapu (Hungary), Shukla conducted over 60 experiments and 20 outreach sessions during the 18-day mission.
On Saturday, Shukla posted a smiling photograph of himself on an aircraft, writing that he felt a mix of emotions as he left the US. “I feel sad leaving behind a fantastic group of people who were my friends and family for the past year during this mission. At the same time, I am excited to meet all my friends, family, and everyone in India for the first time post-mission. I guess this is what life is, everything all at once.”
He added: “Having received incredible love and support from everyone during and after the mission, I can’t wait to share my experiences back home. Goodbyes are hard, but we must keep moving forward. As my commander Peggy Whitson fondly says, ‘The only constant in spaceflight is change.’ I believe that applies to life as well.”
Quoting a Bollywood line, Shukla wrote: “At the end of the day, ‘Yun hi chala chal rahi, jeevan gaadi hai samay pahiya’,” recalling the song from Swades, which was on his playlist just before embarking on the Axiom-4 mission to the ISS.
Before returning to India, both Shukla and Nair took part in Independence Day celebrations at the Indian Consulate in Houston. During his Independence Day address at the Red Fort, Prime Minister Modi said India was working towards developing its own space station.
Shukla, who became the second Indian to travel to space as part of the Axiom-4 mission, was accompanied by his back-up astronaut designate, Prashanth Balakrishnan Nair. His wife Kamna and son Kiash were also present at the airport and were visibly emotional on being reunited with him after his nearly year-long stay in the US for training and the mission, which took place from June 25 to July 15.
In a brief statement at the airport, Dr Singh highlighted the collaborative nature of the mission and underscored India’s commitment to advancing its space programme. He said Shukla’s achievement would pave the way for future Indian space missions, including the Gaganyaan project.
“Thank you, sir. Surely feels good to be back home,” Shukla posted on X in response to Dr Singh’s message of welcome.
The government has scheduled a special discussion in the Lok Sabha on Monday on the subject ‘India’s first astronaut aboard the International Space Station, critical role of the space programme for Viksit Bharat by 2047’ to mark Shukla’s return. Shukla is also expected to meet Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Monday, travel to his hometown Lucknow, and later return to Delhi to participate in National Space Day celebrations on August 22-23.
Dr Singh wrote on X: “India's space glory touches Indian soil... As the iconic son of Mother India, #Gaganyatri Shubanshu Shukla, lands in Delhi in the early hours of this morning. Accompanying him is another equally accomplished Group Captain Prashanth Balakrishnan Nair, one of the astronauts selected for India’s first human mission Gaganyaan, who served as India’s designated backup for the ISS mission.”
Shukla was part of the Axiom-4 private mission that launched from Florida on June 25 and docked at the International Space Station on June 26. He returned to Earth on July 15. Along with fellow astronauts Peggy Whitson (US), Slawosz Uznanski-Wisniewski (Poland), and Tibor Kapu (Hungary), Shukla conducted over 60 experiments and 20 outreach sessions during the 18-day mission.
On Saturday, Shukla posted a smiling photograph of himself on an aircraft, writing that he felt a mix of emotions as he left the US. “I feel sad leaving behind a fantastic group of people who were my friends and family for the past year during this mission. At the same time, I am excited to meet all my friends, family, and everyone in India for the first time post-mission. I guess this is what life is, everything all at once.”
He added: “Having received incredible love and support from everyone during and after the mission, I can’t wait to share my experiences back home. Goodbyes are hard, but we must keep moving forward. As my commander Peggy Whitson fondly says, ‘The only constant in spaceflight is change.’ I believe that applies to life as well.”
Quoting a Bollywood line, Shukla wrote: “At the end of the day, ‘Yun hi chala chal rahi, jeevan gaadi hai samay pahiya’,” recalling the song from Swades, which was on his playlist just before embarking on the Axiom-4 mission to the ISS.
Before returning to India, both Shukla and Nair took part in Independence Day celebrations at the Indian Consulate in Houston. During his Independence Day address at the Red Fort, Prime Minister Modi said India was working towards developing its own space station.