India’s First Astronaut on ISS, Shubhanshu Shukla, Reunites with Family After Historic Mission
New Delhi: In a heartwarming homecoming, Wing Commander Shubhanshu Shukla, India’s first astronaut to visit the International Space Station (ISS), reunited with his family after completing a historic 18-day mission aboard the orbiting laboratory.
Shukla embraced his wife, Kamna Shukla, and six-year-old son Kiash Shukla, for the first time in two months on Wednesday, after undergoing strict quarantine protocols pre- and post-flight. The emotional moment marked not just the end of his journey in space but also the start of a new chapter in India’s human spaceflight ambitions.
"Coming back to Earth and holding my family in my arms felt like home," Shukla posted on social media.
"Human spaceflight missions are magical, but they are made magical by the humans."
From Lucknow to Low Earth Orbit
Born in Lucknow, Shukla, 39, was selected as a pilot for the Axiom-4 (Ax-4) mission, a private-commercial mission conducted by Axiom Space in collaboration with NASA, SpaceX, and government agencies, including ISRO.
His journey to space began with Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s 2018 Independence Day speech, where he announced that an Indian son or daughter would soon go to space. A year later, Shukla was shortlisted in ISRO’s astronaut program. In January 2025, he was officially designated as a crew member for Ax-4, making him the first Indian to enter the ISS, and the youngest astronaut under India's Gaganyaan human spaceflight mission framework.
Launch, Quarantine, and Sacrifices
The Ax-4 mission was launched on June 26, 2025, via SpaceX’s Falcon 9 rocket, with the Dragon spacecraft "Grace" docking successfully with the ISS less than 24 hours later. During the mission, Shukla conducted multiple scientific experiments, participated in zero-gravity training, and engaged in educational outreach to inspire young Indian students.
But before the launch came a long and emotional period of isolation.
“It has been two months since I entered quarantine,” Shukla wrote.
“During the visits, my son had to stay 8 meters away from me. He was told he had germs on his hands and couldn't touch his father. Every time, he would ask his mom, ‘Can I wash my hands now?’ It was heartbreaking.”
Mission Return and Emotional Reunion
Shukla and his fellow crewmates — from the United States, Poland, and Hungary — safely returned to Earth on July 15, splashing down in the Atlantic Ocean aboard the Dragon capsule.
His return was met with both personal and national celebration. The Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO), the Ministry of Defence, and the Prime Minister’s Office praised Shukla’s mission as a pivotal moment for India's growing capabilities in human space exploration.
“This is more than just a mission. This is the future of India in space. Shubhanshu Shukla has made the country proud,” said a senior ISRO official.
Stepping Stone to Gaganyaan
The success of Shukla’s mission aboard Ax-4 has boosted momentum for India’s first indigenous human spaceflight program, Gaganyaan, which is now scheduled for 2027.
As part of the Gaganyaan mission, India plans to send at least three astronauts into a low Earth orbit (LEO) for a duration of 3-7 days. While Shukla's ISS journey was under a private-international collaboration, it served as a training ground and technology validation for India’s upcoming manned missions.
“Shukla's mission was not just a moment of pride, it was a technological rehearsal for Gaganyaan,” noted aerospace analyst Dr. Nandita Raghavan. “It helped India understand the medical, psychological, and logistical frameworks of human spaceflight in real time.”
Global Recognition
International space agencies have lauded India’s growing participation in global missions. NASA Administrator Bill Nelson called the Ax-4 crew “a symbol of how space unites humanity,” and personally congratulated Shukla on completing his first mission.
Meanwhile, Axiom Space CEO Michael Suffredini emphasized that Shukla's performance demonstrated India’s capability and readiness for full-fledged space participation, both commercially and nationally.
“Shukla was not just a participant, he was a mission driver. He handled experiments, coordinated with flight directors, and played a key role in on-board responsibilities,” Suffredini said.
An Inspiration for India
Back home, millions followed his journey in real time, from launch to docking to splashdown. School children across the country participated in “Ask Shukla” programs organized by ISRO, where they sent in questions for the astronaut to answer from space.
In the coming weeks, Shukla is expected to tour schools, universities, and scientific institutions across India to share his journey and inspire a new generation of space enthusiasts.
“I went to space, but now I want to go to classrooms,” Shukla posted. “If one child decides to become a scientist or astronaut after listening to me, my mission will be complete.”
Key Facts:
- Astronaut: Shubhanshu Shukla
- Age: 39
- Home City: Lucknow, Uttar Pradesh
- Mission: Ax-4 (Axiom Space)
- Launch Date: June 26, 2025
- Return Date: July 15, 2025
- Spacecraft: SpaceX Dragon "Grace"
- Duration on ISS: 18 days
- Significance: First Indian aboard ISS, stepping stone for Gaganyaan
- Next Milestone: India's Gaganyaan mission in 2027