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United News of India
16 hours ago
- Science
- United News of India
Mamata and TMC congratulate astronaut Shubhanshu Shukla on his safe return to earth
Kolkata, July 15 (UNI) West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee and her party TMC today congratulated Indian astronaut Group Captain Shubhanshu Shukla on his safe return to earth after spending 18 days in space. Shukla returned to earth as the Dragon spacecraft splashed down near the coast of California at 3.01 pm IST. Shukla and three other astronauts of the Axiom-4 mission began their return journey to earth yesterday after the Dragon Grace spacecraft undocked from the International Space Station after an 18-day stay. Shukla and three others, Axiom 4 (Ax-4) crew Commander Peggy Whitson, and Mission Specialists Slawosz 'Suave' Uznanski-Wisniewski and Tibor Kapu embarked on the space odyssey on June 25 from Florida. "Welcome home, Shubhanshu Shukla! We are really happy to see that you are back. It is a matter of pride for us to see what you have done. Congratulations to you and your team members, and best wishes to your family," the Bengal chief minister said. "We extend our heartfelt congratulations to Group Captain Shubhanshu Shukla on his historic return from space," a TMC statement said. "As the first Indian to visit the International Space Station, his journey is a proud milestone for the nation and a shining inspiration for future generations," the Trinamool Congress said. UNI PC RN
Deccan Herald
19 hours ago
- Science
- Deccan Herald
'Shux' is back from his space sojourn but India to wait till August 17 for astronaut's true homecoming
Indian astronaut Shubhanshu Shukla returned to Earth after his over two week-long space sojourn aboard the ISS. The Dragon spacecraft splashed down off the San Diego coast in southern California at 3:01 PM IST, capping a 20-day space travel of which 18 days were spent at the International Space Station. Shukla will return to Delhi on August 17, Union Minister Jitendra Singh said after the spacecraft returned to earth. Waving and smiling to cameras, Shubhanshu Shukla and three other Axiom-4 mission astronauts emerged from the Dragon Grace spacecraft on Tuesday, taking their first breath of fresh air after completing their 20-day space sojourn. Credit: @Axiom_Space The Axiom-4 mission had blasted off from Florida on June 25 and docked at the ISS the next day. Parachutes of the Dragon Grace spacecraft carrying crew members of the Axiom-4 mission deploy before splashing down off California. Credit: @Axiom_Space Astronaut Shubhanshu Shukla aboard the Dragon Grace spacecraft during his journey back to Earth after an 18-day stay at the International Space Station with other crew members of the Axiom-4 mission Credit: @Axiom_Space The Axiom-4 crew were undergoing a medical check-up on board the recovery vehicle before being taken ashore in a helicopter. Credit: @Axiom_Space
Time of India
a day ago
- Science
- Time of India
Axiom 4 mission: Indian astronaut Shubhanshu Shukla 'Shux' returns to Earth as Grace splashes down in Pacific
Pilot Shubhanshu Shukla and crew, aboard Dragon Grace spacecraft, splashed into the Pacific Ocean off the coast of San Diego, California on Tuesday, completing a 22.5-hour journey from the International Space Station. Ax-4 crew began their journey back to Earth aboard the SpaceX spacecraft at 4:45 PM IST on Monday as it undocked from the ISS after a 10-minute delay from the original plan. The vessel moved away from the orbital laboratory after firing two thrusters. Under the Axiom 4 mission , the four astronauts including Group Captain Shubhanshu Shukla, commander Peggy Whitson , and mission specialists Slawosz Uznanski-Wisniewski of Poland and Tibor Kapu of Hungary, spent approximately 433 hours or 18 days and 288 orbits around Earth, covering nearly 7.6 million miles. Their time in space began on June 26 after docking with ISS. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Buy Lifetime Office 365 Download Undo During his farewell ceremony at ISS with Expedition 73 astronauts, Shukla said, "Jaldi hi dharti pe mulaqat karte hai (we will meet on Earth soon)." Describing how India looks from space, the Indian astronaut said, "We all are still curious to know how India looks today from above. Aaj ka Bharat mahatvakanshi dikhta hai. Aaj ka Bharat nidar dikhta hai, Aaj ka Bharat confident dikhta hai. Aaj ka Bharat garv se purn dikhta hai. (Today's India looks full of ambition, fearless, confident and full of pride)." Live Events Shukla recalled the words of Rakesh Sharma who travelled to space 41 years ago, saying, "It is because of all these reasons, I can say it once again that today's India still looks 'saare jahan se accha'." "Jaldi hi dharti pe mulaqat karte hai (we will meet on Earth soon)," Shukla, who became the second Indian astronaut to travel to space after Rakesh Sharma's 1984 odyssey, said at the farewell ceremony onboard the ISS on Sunday.
Time of India
a day ago
- Science
- Time of India
Shubhanshu Shukla to return on earth after 18 days: No bath, in-flight haircut, & ₹550-crore mission insights for Gaganyaan
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 🇮🇳 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 return ends a historic space chapter and sets the stage for India's next giant leap with Gaganyaan in 2027.
News18
a day ago
- Science
- News18
Shubhanshu Shukla Got Haircut In Space Before Undocking: How Astronauts Reach The ‘Mane' Point
Shubhanshu Shukla, who was floating 400 km above Earth aboard the International Space Station, got the haircut just hours before undocking for his return trip home Apart from the other distinctions, Indian astronaut Group Captain Shubhanshu Shukla also made history for another unconventional reason — becoming the first Indian to get haircut in space. Shukla, who was floating 400 km above Earth aboard the International Space Station (ISS), got the haircut just hours before undocking for his return trip home. He is set to return today. Who gave Shubhanshu Shukla the haircut? Astronaut Ayers wrote on X, 'We said goodbye to our Ax4 friends today. I was just reminiscing about the haircuts from last weekend. After a long quarantine, I think it was nice for them. 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." Ayers is a Major in the US Air Force and has spent 122 days in space. She has conducted spacewalks totalling about six hours. Here's how it works: Special Clippers: NASA provides hair clippers modified with a vacuum hose. Suction System: The vacuum sucks up the hair as it is being cut, preventing the tiny strands from floating around. Crew Assistance: Sometimes astronauts cut each other's hair, but they can also do it themselves using mirrors and a steady hand. How do astronauts maintain hygiene in space? Astronauts maintain hygiene in space without running water by using no-rinse wipes and rinseless body wash to clean their skin, along with no-rinse shampoo for hair. They brush their teeth with regular toothbrushes and swallow the toothpaste or spit it into a towel. Clothes aren't washed but worn multiple times before being discarded. The toilet uses air suction to manage waste, and urine is often recycled into drinking water. These methods keep astronauts clean and healthy in the microgravity environment of space. 📸 Gp Capt Shubhanshu Shukla gets a haircut in space 💇♂️ — ISRO Spaceflight (@ISROSpaceflight) July 15, 2025 When will Shubhanshu Shukla return? Astronaut and Group Captain Shubhanshu Shukla and three other astronauts of the Axiom-4 mission began their return journey to Earth on Monday as the Dragon Grace spacecraft undocked from the International Space Station after an 18-day stay. Following a series of orbital manoeuvres after undocking, the Dragon spacecraft is expected to splash down near the coast of California on Tuesday at 3.01 pm IST. This mission not only marks Shukla as the second Indian astronaut in space, following Wing Commander Rakesh Sharma's historic flight in 1984, but also positions India as a serious contender in the global space community. Shukla and Axiom 4 (Ax-4) crew Commander Peggy Whitson, and Mission Specialists Slawosz 'Suave" Uznanski-Wisniewski and Tibor Kapu embarked on the space odyssey on June 25 from Florida. With Agency Inputs view comments Disclaimer: Comments reflect users' views, not News18's. Please keep discussions respectful and constructive. Abusive, defamatory, or illegal comments will be removed. News18 may disable any comment at its discretion. By posting, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy.
