Axiom-4 mission: Spacecraft carrying Indian astronaut Shubhanshu Shukla returns to Earth - The Hindu

Axiom-4 mission: Spacecraft carrying Indian astronaut Shubhanshu Shukla returns to Earth The SpaceX Dragon splashed down into the Pacific Ocean off the coast of San Diego 22.5 hours after leaving the International Space Station; during 20-day mission, astronauts orbited Earth 320 times Updated - July 15, 2025 09:20 pm IST - BENGALURU HEMANTH C.S. A view of the SpaceX Dragon spacecraft being lifted from water and placed onboard the recovery vessel Shannon after it splashed down successfully off the coast of San Diego on July 15, 2025. Photo: YouTube/ Axiom Space Indian astronaut Shubhanshu Shukla and his fellow crew members on the Axiom Mission 4 (Ax-4) returned to Earth on Tuesday afternoon (July 15), as their SpaceX Dragon splashed down at 3:02 p.m. IST. They returned from an 18-day sojourn on the International Space Station that was a first step for India’s own ambitions for indigenous human spaceflight, with Mr. Shukla -- a Group Captain in the Indian Air Force -- selected as one of the Indian astronauts on the Gaganyaan Mission. In Case You Missed It Asha Bhosle dies at 92: 10 songs that defined her legendary career PMK founder Ramadoss hospitalised after fainting at campaign in Salem Govt. plans speedy rehab of Kaleshwaram barrages, forms panel After Artemis II, NASA looks to SpaceX, Blue Origin for Moon landings Assets worth ₹14 crore found during raid on govt. engineer Udupi court acquits woman of charge of murdering daughter NIA detains Congress candidate, six others in Malda, arrests ISF member NIRDPR calls for focused capacity building to develop in Chittoor villages Sign in to unlock member-only benefits! Access 10 free stories every month Save stories to read later Access to comment on every story Sign-up/manage your newsletter subscriptions with a single click Get notified by email for early access to discounts & offers on our products