Shubhanshu Shukla to return on earth after 18 days: No bath, in-flight haircut, & ₹550-crore mission insights for Gaganyaan

Time of India

6 days ago

Group Captain Shubhanshu Shukla, Indian astronaut and Air Force test pilot, is en route to Earth after spending 18 days aboard the International Space Station (ISS) as part of the Axiom-4 mission. The crew — which included Commander Peggy Whitson and Mission Specialists Slawosz 'Suave' Uznanski-Wisniewski and Tibor Kapu — undocked from the ISS on Monday. They are expected to land near the California coast on Tuesday at 3:01 pm IST, aboard the Dragon Grace spacecraft.
This mission marks Shukla as the second Indian in space after Rakesh Sharma's historic journey in 1984. The milestone is also significant for India's ambitions in human spaceflight, with ISRO having invested around ₹550 crore in Shukla's participation. The experience will inform ISRO's preparations for the Gaganyaan mission, scheduled for 2027.
From quarantine to space: A journey of delays and discipline
Shukla's journey began not on the launch pad, but in quarantine. He spent almost a month at the Kennedy Space Center, as his launch faced repeated delays. Originally scheduled for May 29, the flight finally took off from Florida on June 25. Despite the holdup, Shukla remained composed — a quality that was put to further test in space, where even basic tasks like hygiene required adaptation.
Some amazing photos of Group Captain Subhanshu Shukla from ISS. @isro Hope to see similar photos from Gaganyaan H1 soon 🫠. Jai Hind Jai Bharat 🇮🇳 pic.twitter.com/tcAQMTLXQn
Life without water, showers — or even a haircut
While aboard the ISS, Shukla became the first Indian to receive a haircut in microgravity. Fellow astronaut Nichole Ayers handled the clippers, joking that she might consider a career in hairstyling once back on Earth. 'We joked about how I might have a future in the haircutting business when I get back on Earth, but the reviews are still out,' she said.
Shukla also went without a proper bath during the mission — standard on the ISS, where there's no running water. European astronaut Thomas Pesquet explained the process: 'We use wipes, wet wipes, and dry wipes. We also have wet towels. Put a bit of soap, put some water on the towel, and then you can wash yourself. No showers, no bathtub, no spa.'
Despite the conditions, astronauts stay clean. 'It's a clean environment. And you're wiping yourself with wet towels — it works really well,' Pesquet added.
Shukla was first seen with a stubble in space but later appeared clean-shaven as he looked down on Earth from the station's cupola. Among his memories of space, the haircut while orbiting Earth at 28,000 kilometres per hour stands out as a unique experience.
Why Shukla's mission matters for India
The Axiom-4 mission has broader implications beyond the headlines. With India planning its first indigenous human spaceflight in 2027, Shukla's experience provides valuable insights for training, preparation, and adaptation in space environments. The mission also highlights India's growing role in the international space community.Shukla's return ends a historic space chapter and sets the stage for India's next giant leap with Gaganyaan in 2027.