Indian Astronaut Shubhanshu Shukla Completes Historical Axiom-4 Mission, Ready for Return on July 14
HOUSTON, United States—July 12, 2025: Bringing to a close his maiden pilotage of Axiom Space’s Ax-4 mission, marked by copious scientific thrust and absorption outreach thrusts, Group Captain Shubhanshu Shukla, India’s first astronaut aboard the ISS, has enjoyed his final days in orbit before the return to Earth, slated for July 14, 2025. This mission, launched June 25 and docked June 26, has engaged Shukla and all his international compatriots in the fray of experimentation so vital to humanity’s further explorations beyond Earth and, as important, for Earth itself.
Final Preparations for Return
Completing the last scientific protocols and preparing for the undocking of the SpaceX Crew Dragon spacecraft, Grace, along with Commander Whitson, would join Shukla and other mission specialists Sławosz Uznański and Tibor Kapu in the last preparations for Axiom-4. Their stay on board ISS was extended by four days due to very favorable orbital conditions beyond the initial plan of two weeks. They will part with their beloved space abode at 7:05 AM ET, approximately 4:35 PM IST, on Monday, July 14, barring any bad weather.
Groundbreaking Scientific Endeavors
During its mission, which spanned nearly 19 days, the Ax-4 crew carried out more than 60 scientific experiments on behalf of 31 countries. Shukla is known to be actively engaging in some of the experiments put together by the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) itself while contributing greatly to the nation’s thrust toward human spaceflight.
Key Experiments by Shubhanshu Shukla
Shukla has worked in different areas. Germination and early growth of crop seeds—microgravity sprout and methi—were part of the ‘Sprouts’ experiment, directed to develop sustainable food systems for lunar and Martian missions in the long term. In addition, he has been deploying and stowing microalgae samples being investigated for their potential to produce food, oxygen, and biofuels for long-duration space travel.
Contribution to Human Health and Technology
Beyond plant biology, there are studies that Shukla and his crew are undertaking concerning human health and physiology. These are the study on behavioral health and stress called “AstroMentalHealth,” neuromuscular electrical stimulation (NMES) to guard against muscle loss, and “Voyager Displays,” exploring spaceflight effects in eye movement and coordination. They have also tracked radiation exposure from the Rad Nano Dosimeter and were involved in assessing cognitive flexibility via the “Acquired Equivalence Test” while in microgravity.
International Collaboration and Outreach
The Axiom-4 mission stands as a model of international collaboration in commercial spaceflight, with contributions to the effort from the United States, India, Poland, and Hungary. Shukla being the first Indian to experiment on the ISS marks this moment as a great milestone for India to forge a sturdy foundation towards the coming Gaganyaan mission in 2027. Also, the crew took part in a whole range of outreach efforts like STEM demonstrations and interviews to reach the new generation here around the globe.
