Indian Astronaut Shubhanshu Shukla to begin return journey to earth on July 14

NASA has announced that the return journey for Indian Astronaut Group Captain Shubhanshu Shukla and three other crew members of the Axiom-4 mission will begin on July 14. Steve Stitch, Manager of the NASA Commercial Crew Program, announced at a press conference that the current target for undocking the Axiom-4 mission is July 14. A splashdown is expected several hours after the undocking, near the coast of California in the Pacific Ocean. Group Captain Shukla is on a 14-day mission to the International Space Station(ISS). He became the first Indian to visit the ISS and the second Indian astronaut after Wing Commander Rakesh Sharma, who went to space in 1984. Group Captain Shukla did seven India-specific experiments, and the Axiom 4 or Mission ‘Akash Ganga’ is the first firm step for India’s Gaganyaan human space flight mission. Group Captain Shukla’s parents have said they are very proud that he is set to return after completing his mission. His mother Asha Shukla said we will welcome him with open arms, warmth and ‘band-baaja.