Shubhanshu Shukla shares his experience of re-acclimating to life on Earth, mentioning the weight of his phone and the accidental dropping of his laptop, following his return from the Axiom-4 mission.
Indian Astronaut Shubhanshu Shukla's Return from Axiom-4 Mission Marks a Milestone
Indian astronaut Shubhanshu Shukla has returned to Earth after a successful 20-day mission aboard the Axiom-4 spacecraft. The mission, which took off from the Kennedy Space Centre in Florida on June 25 and returned on July 15, marked a historic moment for India, beginning India's second orbit.
Upon returning to Earth, Shukla found the phone felt heavy in his hand, a stark contrast to the weightlessness he experienced in space. He shared videos of his demanding rehabilitation process to readapt to gravity, highlighting the rapid adjustment of the human body to new environments.
During his time in space, Shukla piloted the Dragon spacecraft and conducted over 60 scientific experiments, including several designed by ISRO. His operational experience on an international spaceflight has provided valuable firsthand exposure to long-duration spaceflight and living in microgravity. This practical knowledge is considered highly beneficial for India's upcoming Gaganyaan mission.
Shukla's role in the Axiom-4 mission was not just as a spacefarer but as a "messenger showing what's possible". He expressed that the mission exceeded his expectations and he learned a lot, which would help him in the Gaganyaan mission. He believes that the primary purpose of these space missions is to inspire the younger generation to become explorers.
Shukla's experience on the Axiom-4 mission will contribute directly to improving the training, health management, and mission systems of the Gaganyaan program. ISRO views his mission as a testbed for the Gaganyaan-4 crewed mission, planned for early 2027, with Shukla's experience informing astronaut training, in-orbit operations, experiment management, telemetry system fine-tuning, and emergency procedures.
Shukla is the second Indian to travel to space, following Rakesh Sharma in 1984. He has documented everything from the Axiom-4 mission, and his confidence in the knowledge gained from the mission being useful for the Gaganyaan mission is high. The success of the Axiom-4 mission has already encouraged children to aspire to become astronauts.
Shukla believes that India is ready, not just to fly but to lead. He expressed that India's space programme is growing rapidly and that the country is poised to make significant contributions to the field of space exploration. He concluded by stating that the Axiom-4 mission marked the beginning of a new era for India's space programme, and he looks forward to the Gaganyaan mission with great anticipation.
Shukla is expected to return to India in mid-August, where he will no doubt be welcomed as a hero. His journey to space and back has inspired many, and his contributions to the Gaganyaan mission will undoubtedly help to ensure its success.
- Shubhanshu Shukla's educational background includes studies in health-and-wellness, technology, and education-and-self-development, which were instrumental in preparing him for the demands of space travel.
- Apart from his commitment to the space-and-astronomy field, Shukla has also demonstrated a strong interest in finance, being one of the few astronauts with a background in financial management.
- In addition to the scientific experiments on board, Shukla used his time in microgravity to promote the importance of cricket, an international sport, to the global audience through live broadcasts.
- Upon his return to India, Shubhanshu Shukla plans to focus on teaching and mentoring young people, particularly in the fields of science and engineering, aiming to inspire the next generation of Indian spacefarers.
