'New Chapter...': Cabinet Hails Shubhanshu Shukla's Homecoming, Passes Resolution
The Union Cabinet welcomed astronaut Shubhanshu Shukla's return from the ISS after the Axiom-4 mission. Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw hailed the 18-day mission as historic.
The Union Cabinet on Wednesday passed a resolution welcoming the return of Indian astronaut Shubhanshu Shukla from International Space Station (ISS) after successfully concluding the Axiom-4 space mission.
Hailing Group Captain Shukla's homecoming, Union Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw announced that the Cabinet has passed a resolution following the successful completion of his historic 18-day mission aboard the ISS.
#WATCH | After the cabinet meeting, Union Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw says, 'Today the Union Cabinet has passed a resolution on the return of Group Captain Shubhanshu Shukla from ISS (International Space Station)…This is an occasion of pride, glory and joy for the entire country.… pic.twitter.com/yUE7nQFELU — ANI (@ANI) July 16, 2025
After the cabinet meeting, Union Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw said, 'Today the Union Cabinet has passed a resolution on the return of Group Captain Shubhanshu Shukla from ISS (International Space Station)…This is an occasion of pride, glory and joy for the entire country. Today, the Cabinet, along with the country, congratulates Group Captain Shubhanshu Shukla on his successful return to Earth. He has completed a historic 18-day mission on the International Space Station… This is a new chapter in India's space program. This gives a golden glimpse into the future of our space programme. The Cabinet congratulates the entire team of scientists and engineers at ISRO for this historic achievement…"
'The Cabinet commends the Indian Space Research Organisation and the entire community of our scientists and engineers whose relentless efforts have made this achievement possible," Vaishnaw added.
The Cabinet hailed Shukla's efforts at the ISS-bound mission, saying, his experiments will further deepen understanding of human spaceflight and and provide critical inputs for India's future missions.
'He conducted pioneering experiments in microgravity on subjects such as muscle regeneration, algal and microbial growth, crop viability, microbial survivability, cognitive performance in space, and the behaviour of cyanobacteria. These studies will deepen global understanding of human spaceflight and microgravity science, and provide critical inputs for India's future missions. This successful mission significantly elevates India's global standing in space exploration. It is a vital stepping stone towards India's own human spaceflight ambition, including the Gaganyaan and the Bharatiya Antariksha Station. It reaffirms India's resolve to be at the forefront of human space exploration."
Earlier on Wednesday, Shubhanshu Shukla, India's Gaganyatri, returned to earth as his SpaceX crew capsule Grace splashed down off the coast of California near San Diego right after 3pm IST. The Indian astronaut who was part of a commercial mission operated by Axiom Space, with the support of ISRO and NASA, is expected to land in India by August 17. Shukla has created history by becoming the first Indian astronaut to visit the ISS.
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July 16, 2025, 15:36 IST
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