Indian astronaut Group Captain Shubhanshu Shukla and his Axiom-4 mission 4 (Ax-4) crew members returned to earth on Tuesday (July 15, 2025) as their SpaceX Dragon spacecraft splashed down at 3.02 p.m.
The splash down occurred off the coast of San Diego 22.5 hours after the Dragon departed from the International Space Station (ISS) on July 14.
Watch | Shubhanshu Shukla-piloted SpaceX Dragon returns to Earth after Axiom-4 Mission
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The Hindu
Group Captain Shukla the pilot for the Ax-4 mission and different crew members Commander Peggy Whitson of the U.S., Mission Specialist Sławosz Uznański-Wiśniewski of Poland, and Mission Specialist Tibor Kapu of Hungary spent 18 days on the ISS.
A view of the SpaceX Dragon spaceship after it splashed down off the coast off San Diego on July 15, 2025. Photo: YouTube/ Axiom Space
The 4 astronauts flew to the house station on the Dragon after it was launched by the Falcon 9 from the Kennedy Space Center in Florida June 25, 2025.
The Ax-4 analysis complement consists of round 60 scientific research and actions representing 31 international locations, together with the U.S., India, Poland, Hungary, Saudi Arabia, Brazil, Nigeria, UAE, and nations throughout Europe.
Group Captain Shukla who’s the primary Indian to attain house within the final 41 years throughout his keep on the ISS accomplished seven microgravity experiments which have been assigned to him by ISRO. They embody experiments on Indian pressure of Tardigrades, Myogenesis, Sprouting of methi and moong seeds, Cyanobacteria, Microalgae, Crop seeds and Voyager Display.
Post splashdown a Space X restoration vessel Shannon will choose up the crew from the ocean, they are going to then endure their first medical checks onboard the restoration vessel earlier than flying on a helicopter again to land.
From there, the crew can be flown to Houston the place they are going to be reunited with their respective groups.
According to ISRO, Group Captain Shukla will endure a rehabilitation programme for a couple of week below s
