<p>New Delhi: The Axiom-4 mission, which marked India's return to human spaceflight after four decades, finally returned to Earth.</p>.<p>Group Captain Shubhanshu Shukla, the first Indian to board the International Space Station (ISS), conducted a range of microgravity experiments during the 18-day mission.</p>.SpaceX capsule carrying Shubhanshu Shukla, 3 others splashes down to Earth after 18 days at space station.<p><strong>Here's a timeline of key moments from announcement to return: </strong></p><p>- The Axiom-4 mission featuring Indian astronaut Shukla was announced in late 2024 as a collaborative commercial spaceflight supported by ISRO and NASA.</p>.<p>- Originally scheduled for launch in early 2025, the mission faced multiple postponements due to technical checks and unfavourable weather conditions at Kennedy Space Centre.</p>.<p>- After several delays, the mission successfully launched aboard SpaceX's Falcon 9 rocket on June 25, 2025 from Florida's Kennedy Space Centre.</p>.<p>- The crew docked with the ISS on June 26, 2025, beginning their 18-day stay aboard the station.</p>.<p>- During the mission, Shukla conducted seven Indian-designed microgravity experiments, including sprouting of moong and methi seeds, stem cell research, and microalgae studies.</p>.<p>- Aboard the ISS, he performed a zero-gravity water bubble demonstration and took part in cognitive load experiments involving screen interaction.</p>.<p>- He interacted with Prime Minister Narendra Modi, students, and ISRO scientists through amateur radio and video links as part of outreach efforts.</p>.<p>- A farewell ceremony was held on July 13 with Expedition 73 crew members, where Shukla thanked ISRO and his colleagues.</p>.<p>- The Dragon Grace spacecraft undocked from the ISS on July 14, 2025, after completing planned activities and experiments.</p>.<p>- Shukla and the crew safely splashed down off the California coast on July 15, 2025, concluding India's first extended research mission aboard the ISS.</p>
<p>New Delhi: The Axiom-4 mission, which marked India's return to human spaceflight after four decades, finally returned to Earth.</p>.<p>Group Captain Shubhanshu Shukla, the first Indian to board the International Space Station (ISS), conducted a range of microgravity experiments during the 18-day mission.</p>.SpaceX capsule carrying Shubhanshu Shukla, 3 others splashes down to Earth after 18 days at space station.<p><strong>Here's a timeline of key moments from announcement to return: </strong></p><p>- The Axiom-4 mission featuring Indian astronaut Shukla was announced in late 2024 as a collaborative commercial spaceflight supported by ISRO and NASA.</p>.<p>- Originally scheduled for launch in early 2025, the mission faced multiple postponements due to technical checks and unfavourable weather conditions at Kennedy Space Centre.</p>.<p>- After several delays, the mission successfully launched aboard SpaceX's Falcon 9 rocket on June 25, 2025 from Florida's Kennedy Space Centre.</p>.<p>- The crew docked with the ISS on June 26, 2025, beginning their 18-day stay aboard the station.</p>.<p>- During the mission, Shukla conducted seven Indian-designed microgravity experiments, including sprouting of moong and methi seeds, stem cell research, and microalgae studies.</p>.<p>- Aboard the ISS, he performed a zero-gravity water bubble demonstration and took part in cognitive load experiments involving screen interaction.</p>.<p>- He interacted with Prime Minister Narendra Modi, students, and ISRO scientists through amateur radio and video links as part of outreach efforts.</p>.<p>- A farewell ceremony was held on July 13 with Expedition 73 crew members, where Shukla thanked ISRO and his colleagues.</p>.<p>- The Dragon Grace spacecraft undocked from the ISS on July 14, 2025, after completing planned activities and experiments.</p>.<p>- Shukla and the crew safely splashed down off the California coast on July 15, 2025, concluding India's first extended research mission aboard the ISS.</p>