Indian Astronaut Shubhashu Shukla Returns Home After Successful Space Mission

Joy of Returning from Space

Group Captain Shubhashu Shukla, a prominent astronaut and India's space hero of the 21st century, is expected to meet Prime Minister Narendra Modi upon his return to India on Monday. According to sources, during this meeting, he will share insights from his space mission, which are crucial for India's inaugural human spaceflight program, Gaganyaan.

A Smile on His Journey Back

Following the successful completion of the Axiom-4 mission at the International Space Station (ISS), Group Captain Shukla is making his way back to India. He shared a smiling photo from the aircraft, expressing his emotions about returning home. He mentioned his eagerness to share his experiences with the citizens of India.

Reflections on His Journey

In his post, he expressed, 'As I sit on the plane returning to India, a mix of emotions fills my heart. I feel sad to leave behind the wonderful people who were my friends and family during this mission.' He further added, 'I believe that life is all about togetherness.'

Lessons from Space

Shukla also referenced Commander Astro Peggy, who states that 'the only constant in space travel is change.' He noted that this principle applies to life as well, suggesting that life is like a vehicle moving through the wheel of time.

Future of the Gaganyaan Mission

Last month, Group Captain Shukla spent 18 days at the ISS, where he conducted seven India-specific experiments. Indian scientists are currently reviewing these experiments, and results are expected soon.

This meeting is particularly significant as, during the preparations for his space journey, Prime Minister Modi had requested Shukla to document his entire training and experiences at the space station. This documentation will serve as a 'guidebook' for India's ambitious Gaganyaan mission.

The Gaganyaan mission aims to send an Indian astronaut into space using indigenous technology. With this achievement, India will become the fourth nation in the world, after Russia, the USA, and China, to possess its own human spaceflight technology.