Shubhanshu Shukla To Return After Two-Week Debrief at Axiom, Microgravity Experiments Await Analysis
With post-mission rehabilitation and recovery complete, Group Captain Shubhanshu Shukla —the second Indian to travel to space—is set to return to India after a two-week debriefing at Axiom Space. Shukla was the main pilot for Axiom Mission-4, which concluded on July 15 with a successful splashdown in the Pacific Ocean on the US West Coast.
Shukla travelled to the International Space Station with three other crewmates—one each from the US, Hungary, and Poland—on a private space mission funded by the respective countries. The Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) spent nearly Rs 550 crore on this collaboration with Axiom Space, SpaceX, and NASA.
In his first press briefing after his successful return from space, Shukla mentioned that his body is adjusting well. 'It takes time to get used to gravity, find your balance, and do simple things that you were doing all your life without even giving a second thought. However, with a well-curated rehabilitation programme, I felt normal within 3-4 days. My rehabilitation has been going great—I feel I'm ready for another space mission," Shukla said virtually from Texas.
'It is difficult to give details now, but I'm excited to share that there were certain experiments where I could see the results while we were on the ISS. This was very encouraging for me. All the experiments have been shipped to researchers back home. In due course of time, we will come out with the findings and results," he added.
The experiments explored muscle regeneration in space using supplements, algal growth for potential food, crop viability, microbial survivability, cognitive performance in space, and the behaviour of cyanobacteria—all aimed at understanding human spaceflight and microgravity science.
Discussing the upcoming Gaganyaan mission, for which he is one of the four astronaut-designates, he said that the entire experience of going to space, conducting experiments in orbit, and the year-long training programme will be very valuable for the mission.
India's first human spaceflight, Gaganyaan, is expected to launch in 2027, following multiple uncrewed test flights lined up in the coming year. The Rs 20,000 crore mission aims to send three astronauts into low Earth orbit and bring them safely back to Earth.
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