On July 15, 2025, Group Captain Shubhanshu Shukla of the Indian Air Force etched his name in history. “Group Captain Shubhanshu Shukla of the Indian Air Force made history on Tuesday, returning to Earth from the International Space Station (ISS), adding a new chapter to Indian space history,” as reported.
“The SpaceX Dragon spacecraft ‘Grace’, carrying Group Captain Shukla and three other astronauts, splashed down in the Pacific Ocean off the coast of California at 3:01 PM,” marking a triumphant return.
The mission’s final phase began the previous day. “On Monday, at 4:45 PM IST, the Dragon spacecraft Grace completed its undocking process from the ISS. After a journey of 22.5 hours, it made a splashdown in the Pacific Ocean off the coast of San Diego, California, at 3:01 PM on Tuesday,” with the event broadcast live by NASA, SpaceX, and Axiom Space.
In Lucknow, “there is an atmosphere of excitement and pride among Shubhanshu’s family over his return.” His mother, Asha Shukla, shared her joy: “My son has returned safely. I thank God and all of you who covered this event. I was overwhelmed with emotion—after all, my son has come back after several days.”
Prime Minister Narendra Modi celebrated the milestone on X: “I, along with the entire nation, welcome Group Captain Shubhanshu Shukla on his return to Earth after his historic space mission.
As the first Indian astronaut to visit the International Space Station, he has inspired millions of dreams with his dedication, courage, and pioneering spirit. This marks another milestone in the direction of our very own human spaceflight mission — Gaganyaan.” X posts reflect national pride, with many calling Shukla a trailblazer for India’s Gaganyaan program, set for 2026, per ISRO updates.