Axiom-4 Mission Ends: Shubhanshu Shukla Returns to Earth After 20 Days

The Axiom-4 (Ax-4) mission concluded its separation from the International Space Station (ISS) at 4:45 pm (IST) on Monday. Indian astronaut Shubhanshu Shukla is expected to return to Earth on July 15 at approximately 3 pm. A one-hour window has been designated for both separation and splashdown. Indian astronaut Shubhanshu Shukla has successfully completed the Axiom-4 mission and is currently undertaking his return journey from the ISS. This return voyage is estimated to take approximately 22.5 hours. During his 20-day mission, Shukla orbited Earth more than 310 times, traveling about 1.3 crore kilometers – a distance equivalent to 33 times the distance between the Earth and the Moon. The mission team observed the rare occurrence of sunrise and sunset over 300 times, offering a unique perspective on low Earth orbit dynamics. The Dragon capsule ‘Grace’ is currently separating from the ISS using precise technical procedures, initiating its return to Earth with several departure burns.