Shubhanshu Shukla to splashdown today: All eyes on fiery re-entry into Earth

India Today

3 days ago

Indian astronaut Group Captain Shubhanshu Shukla is set to make a historic return to Earth on Tuesday, as he and his Axiom-4 (Ax-4) crewmates prepare for a dramatic splashdown in the Pacific Ocean off the coast of California.After an 18-day mission aboard the International Space Station (ISS), Shukla's journey home will culminate in one of the most critical and challenging phases of spaceflight: atmospheric re-entry.advertisementThe SpaceX Dragon spacecraft carrying Shukla and the multinational Ax-4 crew undocked from the ISS at 4:30 pm IST on Monday, beginning a meticulously planned 22-hour return journey.
The capsule will orbit Earth several times, gradually aligning itself for the precise deorbit burn required to target the designated splashdown zone. The timing of this maneuver is crucial, as it ensures the spacecraft enters Earth's atmosphere at the correct angle and location for a safe landing.FIERY RE-ENTRY INTO EARTHRe-entry is widely regarded as the most perilous part of any space mission.As the Dragon capsule plunges into the atmosphere at speeds exceeding 27,000 km/h, it will encounter intense friction, causing its heat shield to endure temperatures of up to 1,600C.For several minutes, the crew will experience a communications blackout, adding to the tension as Mission Control and families await confirmation of a successful passage through the fiery descent.The communication blackout is due to the plasma buildup on the spacecraft due to the friction building a barrrier between the system and ground control.Once through the atmosphere, a series of parachutes will deploy to slow the capsule's descent, culminating in a gentle splashdown in the Pacific. Recovery teams, including ships and helicopters, will be on standby to swiftly retrieve the crew and transport them to a medical facility for immediate evaluation.A TRAILBLAZING MISSIONDuring his time aboard the ISS, Shukla contributed to over 60 scientific experiments, including pioneering research in plant biology, materials science, and artificial intelligence.His work, particularly the Sprouts Project on plant growth in microgravity, is expected to have lasting impacts on both future space missions and Earth-based science.Shukla's return marks a proud moment for India, as the nation celebrates its growing role in international space exploration.As the world watches, all eyes are on the final, nerve-wracking moments of his mission—reminding us of both the dangers and triumphs of human spaceflight.- EndsTune InMust Watch