Shubanshu Shukla healthy, on a medical routine to restore baseline health
BENGALURU: Indian astronaut
Shubanshu Shukla
(Shux), who returned from the
International Space Station
(ISS) on July 15, is 'healthy' with initial medical evaluation showing 'no immediate health concerns'.
Shux, India's first astronaut to fly as part of a commercial space mission —
Axiom-4
(Ax-4) — has begun his week-long post-flight rehabilitation in Houston. According to Isro, he is now on a medical routine that will involve cardiovascular assessments, musculoskeletal tests, and mental health monitoring. The goal is to restore his physical baseline and prepare him for a normal return to Earth activities.
'After splashdown, Shukla was extracted by SpaceX recovery teams and underwent preliminary health checks aboard the recovery ship. Initial assessments confirmed that he was in stable condition. He was then airlifted to the mainland for detailed medical evaluations and mission debriefing sessions,' Isro said.
Shux is currently under the care of
Axiom Space
's flight surgeon in Houston, with Isro's medical team participating in his rehabilitation. This phase focuses on mitigating the effects of microgravity, which can impact cardiovascular health, muscles, bones, and psychological well-being. His medical routine involves cardiovascular assessments, musculoskeletal tests, and mental health monitoring.
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'Shubhanshu Shukla worked in close partnership with members of Axiom-4 crew and Expedition 73, contributing to the daily rhythm of ISS operations and supporting joint science, maintenance, and outreach efforts. He participated in integrated crew timelines, shared resources aboard the Harmony module, and coordinated multiple crossover activities, fostering international cooperation in space,' Isro said.
Meanwhile, the more than 580 pounds of scientific samples and hardware from the 60+ scientific experiments covering life sciences, materials research, Earth observation, and technology demonstrations from 31 countries, will now be returned to respective agencies.
Principal investigators of the experiments, including studies on microgravity, suit fabrics, muscle stimulation, micro‑algae systems, and environmental psychology, will analyse the samples and data in the coming weeks . Scientific publications are expected to take more time.
Beyond science, the crew engaged in more than 20 outreach events, interacting with students, officials, and researchers worldwide. Commenting after the conclusion of the mission, Axiom Space CEO Tejpaul Bhatia, said Ax-4 was a powerful demonstration of what's possible through commercial space.
'By enabling astronauts from India, Poland, and Hungary to carry out scientific research aboard the space station, we are supporting these nations in their contributions to human spaceflight. This mission reflects Axiom's vision of a thriving low-Earth orbit economy, where access to space is no longer limited to a few, but extends to all who seek to explore, discover, and innovate,' he added.
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