Shubhanshu Shukla and crew return to Earth after 18 day-space sojourn: All you need to know

From details about the timing of landing to the excitement at Shukla's home, we have you covered.

In a historic moment for Indian and the world, Lucknow-born Shubhanshu Shukla, with his other crew members, splashed down to Earth on Tuesday. Here's everything you need to know about the big day.

From details about the timing of landing to the prayers being recited at Shukla's home, we have you covered.

When did Axiom-4 splash down?

On Monday, the spacecraft exited the 'keep out sphere', a 200 metre line around the space station, capping a 22.5-hour journey after an 18-day stay. As the crew undocked, mission commander Peggy Whitson radioed “Godspeed” and hoped for a safe return to Earth.

The spacecraft splashed down at 3:01 pm IST off the California coast. It was hauled up on a special recovery ship for the astronauts to be brought out from the capsule.

Along with Shukla, astronauts Peggy Whitson, Sławosz Uznański-Wiśniewski, and Tibor Kapu also returned.

Prayers for safe return

Shukla's family and the entire internet prayed for the success of the commercial Axiom-4 mission and the safe return of the astronauts.

Asha and Shambhu Shukla, parents of the group captain, told news agency ANI that the family was excited to know about the spacecraft's return. She also mentioned that they are praying and reciting hymns for a smooth landing and completion of the mission.

When was the spacecraft launched?

It was on June 25 this year that the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) proudly launched the Axiom Mission 4 (Ax-04). However, it was originally scheduled for June 11.

Dubbed "Grace" by its crew, the newly commissioned capsule flown for Axiom-4 was launched from NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Cape Canaveral in Florida on June 25, making its debut as the fifth vehicle in SpaceX's Crew Dragon fleet.

More about Indian astronaut Shubhanshu Shukla

Shukla has became the second Indian astronaut to travel to space after Rakesh Sharma's 1984 odyssey.

"Jaldi hi dharti pe mulaqat karte hai (we will meet on Earth soon)," Shukla said at the farewell ceremony onboard the ISS on Sunday.