In a proud milestone for India and global space exploration, Group Captain Shubhanshu Shukla has officially become the first Indian astronaut aboard the International Space Station (ISS) and only the second Indian to travel into space after legendary cosmonaut Rakesh Sharma in 1984. Shukla is currently on board as part of the Axiom Space Mission 4 (Ax-4), launched by Axiom Space in collaboration with NASA and SpaceX.

Over the past 12 days, the Ax-4 crew, including Shukla, has conducted a series of advanced scientific experiments, contributing significantly to microgravity research and space-based innovation. While the mission was originally scheduled to return on July 10, reports now confirm that the return has been delayed due to bad weather and technical evaluations, pushing the crew’s Earthbound journey by at least 3–4 days.

Who Is Shubhanshu Shukla?

Shubhanshu “Shux” Shukla, a Group Captain in the Indian Air Force, has trained extensively for this mission and was selected for his scientific, piloting, and operational expertise. He represents a new era of Indian participation in global space missions, flying under the European Space Agency (ESA) in collaboration with Axiom Space.

His role onboard the ISS includes:

• Conducting biological and agricultural research

• Supporting ESA’s scientific objectives

• Promoting STEM outreach for the global Indian diaspora

With Shukla’s participation, India makes its presence felt once again in low Earth orbit, nearly four decades after Rakesh Sharma’s iconic mission aboard Soyuz T-11.

Axiom-4 Mission Overview

The Axiom-4 mission was launched on June 25, 2025, from NASA’s Kennedy Space Center in Florida aboard SpaceX’s Falcon 9 rocket. The crew was transported via the Crew Dragon capsule “Grace” to the International Space Station.

Ax-4 is a privately funded space mission under Axiom Space’s commercial spaceflight program, aiming to bridge science, innovation, and international collaboration. Alongside Shukla, the crew includes:

• Commander Peggy Whitson (USA) – NASA’s most experienced female astronaut

• Slawosz Uznanski-Wisniewski (Poland) – ESA mission specialist

• Tibor Kápolnai (Hungary) – Space researcher and payload engineer

Experiments Led by Shubhanshu Shukla Aboard the ISS

In line with Axiom-4’s scientific goals, Shubhanshu Shukla has been at the forefront of groundbreaking research inside the orbiting laboratory. According to NASA and ESA reports, he conducted three key experiments over the past few days:

1. Sprouting Seeds in Space

Shukla led a biological experiment involving the germination of green gram and fenugreek seeds in microgravity. The objective is to understand how space conditions affect:

• Germination rate

• Early root and shoot growth

• Cell structure changes in zero gravity

Upon returning to Earth, the seeds will be cultivated over multiple generations to analyze changes in genetic expression, microbial associations, and nutritional composition. This research could shape the future of space farming and long-duration missions.

2. Microalgae Deployment

In another significant study, Shukla deployed and later stowed microalgae cultures aboard the ISS. These microorganisms are being examined for their potential to:

• Generate oxygen in closed habitats

• Produce nutritional food supplements

• Act as a source of biofuel in long-term space travel

This experiment supports broader goals in developing sustainable life-support systems for interplanetary exploration.

3. Microgravity Research on Cellular Behavior

On July 9, the crew, including Shukla, participated in collaborative research sessions focused on the effect of microgravity on human and plant cells. This includes studying:

• Cell signaling

• Mutation rates in extreme conditions

• Biological adaptations in space environments

Return Delayed Due to Bad Weather Near Florida

The Ax-4 crew was initially scheduled to return to Earth on July 10, with a splashdown in the Atlantic Ocean or Gulf of Mexico, near the Florida coast. However, due to adverse weather conditions — including thunderstorms, high winds, and rough sea currents — the splashdown has been postponed.

SpaceX and NASA require optimal weather conditions to:

• Ensure safe capsule re-entry

• Enable recovery teams to locate and extract the crew safely

• Minimize health risks from sea movement during recovery

Currently, no confirmed return date has been announced, but July 14 is being considered the earliest feasible window for a safe return.

Other Possible Technical Delays

Besides weather, technical reasons could also contribute to the delay:

• Routine system checks on the Crew Dragon capsule “Grace”

• Ongoing inspection of a minor pressure leak in one of the ISS modules (as reported by ESA)

• Readiness of recovery teams stationed in the ocean splashdown zones

Both NASA and ESA have reassured that the crew’s health and onboard life-support systems remain stable and fully operational.

India’s Reaction: National Pride and Renewed Space Ambition

The news of Shubhanshu Shukla aboard the ISS has created excitement across India. Educational institutions, space enthusiasts, and government bodies have celebrated the achievement.

Social media platforms are abuzz with:

• #ShubhanshuShukla trends on Twitter

• Students organizing live ISS tracking and discussions

• Calls for faster implementation of India’s Gaganyaan mission, which aims to send astronauts into space by 2026

Though Shukla is flying under ESA’s sponsorship, his Indian identity has become a source of national pride.

What Happens Next: Awaiting Safe Return

Until weather permits, Shukla and the Ax-4 crew will continue:

• Supporting routine ISS maintenance

• Extending current scientific trials

• Participating in outreach sessions with educational institutions worldwide

The Crew Dragon spacecraft “Grace” is ready for re-entry once ground teams give the green light. NASA and SpaceX typically provide a 48-hour notice before undocking procedures begin.

Shubhanshu Shukla’s mission marks a defining moment in India’s space journey. As the first Indian on the ISS, and the second Indian ever in space, he symbolizes the growing global participation of Indian talent in frontier science and exploration.

His groundbreaking experiments — from growing seeds in microgravity to studying algae for life-support — represent the future of space sustainability and interplanetary colonization.

As the world awaits the Ax-4 crew’s safe return, one thing is certain: Shukla’s mission will inspire generations of Indian scientists, astronauts, and space dreamers.