Indian astronaut Shubhamshu Shukla is scheduled to return to India on Sunday, August 17, 2025, following his historic expedition to the International Space Station (ISS). ISRO is poised to launch its first human spaceflight mission in 2027, and Shubhamshu's experiences are poised to play a pivotal role in this mission. Upon his return, he will meet Prime Minister Narendra Modi and later visit his hometown of Lucknow.
The Space Odyssey of Shubhamshu
Shubhamshu Shukla, a Group Captain in the Indian Air Force, spent the past year in the United States, undergoing intensive training for the Axiom-4 mission. After his launch aboard a SpaceX Dragon Capsule from Florida on June 25, 2025, Shubhamshu reached the ISS on June 26. His mission concluded on July 15 when he returned to Earth. During this 18-day mission, alongside fellow astronauts Peggy Whitson (USA), Sławosz Ucznianski-Wiśniewski (Poland), and Tibor Kapu (Hungary), Shubhamshu conducted over 60 experiments and 20 awareness sessions.
On August 25, Group Captain Shubhamshu Shukla will arrive in Lucknow. He plans to express his gratitude to the people of Lucknow through a roadshow, traveling from the airport to his residence with his family. This will be Shubhamshu's first visit to meet his family in Lucknow after making history.
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Return to India and Emotions Galore
Shubhamshu shared a photo on Instagram, depicting him smiling aboard an airplane. He captioned it, expressing the whirlwind of emotions he felt upon embarking the flight to India. Parting with the incredible people who became like friends and family over the past year was bittersweet, yet the joy of reuniting with family, friends, and countrymen was exuberant. Such is life—everything at once.
He further shared that during and after the mission, the overwhelming love and support he received fueled his eagerness to return to India and share his experiences. While farewells are challenging, moving forward in life is crucial. His commander, Peggy Whitson, often remarked that change is the only constant in spaceflight, a notion that applies to life as well. Shubhamshu recalled a cherished Bollywood song from the movie 'Swades,' 'Yun Hi Chala Chal Rahi—Life is a Journey, Time its Wheel,' which accompanied him on the mission.
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Meeting with PM Modi and the Grand Plan
After arriving in India, Shubhamshu is slated to meet Prime Minister Narendra Modi. During his 79th Independence Day address on August 15, 2025, from the Red Fort, PM Modi acknowledged the return of our Group Captain Shubhamshu Shukla from the space station, announcing his imminent arrival in India. Following this, Shubhamshu will head to Lucknow, where his eagerly-awaiting family resides. He will also attend the National Space Day celebrations in New Delhi on August 22-23.
Alongside his backup astronaut Prashant Nair, Shubhamshu celebrated Independence Day on August 15 at the Indian Consulate in Houston. PM Modi also highlighted India's plans to build its space station and lauded Shubhamshu's achievements during this occasion.
