After historic ISS mission, Shukla reaches India to rousing reception
the Axiom-4 Mission and become the first Indian to travel to the International Space
Station (ISS) where he conducted microgravity experiments during his 18-day stay,
landed in New Delhi this morning from Texas, US.
He was accorded a rousing reception on his arrival at the Indira Gandhi International
airport in New Delhi early this morning.
Shukla, who along with three other crew members on board AX-4 (others being from
the US, Poland and Hungary) splashed down off the coast of California on July 15
after an 18-day stay aboard the ISS, was received by his Union Minister Jitendra
Singh, Delhi Chief Minister Rekha Gupta and his family members, including his wife
Kamna, and ISRO scientists.
Terming his visit to ISS as a moment f pride, later, he met ISRO Chairman
Dr V Narayanan and shared his experience he had at ISS.
Shux was expected to meet Prime Minister Narendra Modi either today or tomorrow.
Dr Jitendra in a post on X said "a moment of pride for India! ."
"A moment of glory for #ISRO! A moment of gratitude to the dispensation that facilitated
this under the leadership of PM @narendramodi", he wrote. .
Sharing the photos upon receiving at the airport, Dr Jitendra said "India's Space glory
touches the Indian soil… as the iconic son of Mother India, #Gaganyatri Shubhanshu
Shukla lands at Delhi in the early hours of morning today."
"Accompanying him, another equally accomplished Group Captain Prasanth Balakrishnan
Nair, one of the astronauts selected for India's first Human mission Gaganyaan who was
India's designated backup for the mission to the International Space Station #ISS", he added.
"Privileged to receive both of them at the New Delhi Airport along with Delhi CM Smt. Rekha
Gupta @gupta_rekha, #ISRO Chairman Dr. V. Narayanan and later welcomed by a group of
students", he said.
Shux was the first Indian in 41 years afer Rakesh Sharma to travel to space and the first ever
to visit ISS when the AX-4 mission, which he piloted took off from NASA's Kennedy Space Centre
in Florida on June 25.
Upon docking at ISS after a 28-hour journey, SHux conducted seven micro gravity experiments
on behalf of ISRO, held outreaching programmes and also interacted with Mr Modi, ISRO Chairman
and school and college students.
After his ISS visit, the Dragon spacecraft splashed down successfully off California coast marking
the culmination of a historic visit and milestone in India's space Odyssey.
Shux boarded a flight to India at Texas yesterday and landed this morning.
Afrer boarding the flight back to India, Shux penned an emotional note reflecting on his one year
experience as part of the mission and said he was eager to return to India and share
his experiences with all.
"As I sit on the plane to come back to India I have a mix of emotions running through
my heart", he wrote.
"I feel sad leaving a fantastic group of people behind who were my friends and family
for the past one year during this mission. I am also excited about meeting all my friends,
family and everyone in the country for the first time post mission", he added.
"I guess this is what life is - everything all at once", Shux posted in Instagram.
"Having received incredible love and support from everyone during and after the mission
I can't wait to come back to India to share my experiences with all of you", he said.
"Goodbyes are hard but we need to keep moving in life. As my commander @astro_peggy
fondly says 'the only constant in spaceflight is change'. I believe that applies to life as well.",
Shux said.
"I guess at the end of the day -'Yun hi chala chal rahi - jeevan gaadi hai samay pahiya'
#axiom4 #shux #shubhanshushukla #space #farewell", he wrote quoting a Hindi song.
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