‘Saare Jahan Se Accha…’: Shubhanshu Shukla Says India Looks Confident, Fearless From Space

Last Updated:July 13, 2025, 20:11 IST

IAF Group Captain Shubhanshu Shukla and three Axiom-4 astronauts will return to Earth after two weeks on the ISS.

With the Axiom 4 mission India sent an astronaut for the first time to the ISS. (YouTube)

After two weeks of intense science experiments at the International Space Station (ISS), it is time for farewell and celebration for IAF Group Captain and astronaut Shubhanshu Shukla and three other astronauts from the Axiom-4 mission, who are set to begin their return journey to Earth on Monday.

As the Axiom-4 mission neared its conclusion, astronauts aboard the ISS gathered for a feast featuring a diverse menu representing the six nations involved in the mission. Currently, there are 11 astronauts on the ISS—seven from Expedition 73 and four from the Axiom-4 commercial mission.

While speaking at the formal farewell ceremony, Shukla hailed the progress of India and iterated Rakesh Sharma’s iconic words from 1984 space Odyssey, saying that India still looks ‘saare jahan se achcha‘ from space. He also said that today’s India looks ambitious, fearless, confident and full of pride from space.

“Aaj Ka Bharat Space Se Nidar, Garv Se Purn Dikhta Hai", he said.

He also hailed the success of the mission and said that it has been an incredible journey for him.

The IAF group captain also praised the efforts of his colleagues— Commander Peggy Whitson, Poland’s Slawosz Uznanski and Hungary’s Tibor Kapu— saying that the journey has been amazing because of this team.

“It was a joy to be here and working with bunch of professionals like you," he said.

The Indian astronaut further thanked India and the citizens for their unwavering support during the entire mission.

“It seems all magical to me…I want to thank my country and citizens for supporting me…I want to thank ISRO, researchers, students, NASA and Axiom and its partners for providing all the support making this mission successful," he added.

Shukla said that he would be carrying a lot of memories and learning from Axiom-4 mission.

Crew To Undock On July 14

The four-member astronaut crew is expected to undock from the International Space Station on July 14, as announced by NASA.

The crew will undock from the space-facing port of the station’s Harmony module aboard the SpaceX Dragon spacecraft at approximately 7:05 a.m. EDT on July 14 as per the weather conditions, to begin their return to Earth and splashdown off the coast of California.

“We are working with the station program, overseeing the Axiom-4 progress. I think we need to undock that mission and the current target to undock is July 14," said Steve Stitch, Manager of NASA’s Commercial Crew Program, during a press conference.

“Arrival back to Earth… splashdown is scheduled for July 15th at 3:00 p.m. IST," Science and Technology Minister Jitendra Singh announced in a post on X (formerly Twitter).

The Axiom-4 mission, which launched from Kennedy Space Center in Florida on June 25, successfully docked at the ISS on June 26 following a 28-hour flight aboard the Dragon spacecraft.

With over 60 experiments across biomedical science, advanced materials, neuroscience, agriculture, and space technology, the Axiom-4 mission includes the most research conducted on an Axiom Space private astronaut mission to date.

Shukla Will Undergo Rehabilitation

According to ISRO, post-splashdown, Shukla will undergo a rehabilitation program lasting about seven days under the supervision of a flight surgeon to help him readjust to Earth’s gravity.

ISRO invested approximately Rs 550 crore (about $66 million) for Shukla’s journey to the ISS, an experience that will aid the space agency in planning and executing its human spaceflight program, Gaganyaan, which is set to launch in 2027.

Shobhit Gupta

Shobhit Gupta is a sub-editor at News18.com and covers India and International news. He is interested in day to day political affairs in India and geopolitics. He earned his BA Journalism (Hons) degree from Ben...Read More

Shobhit Gupta is a sub-editor at News18.com and covers India and International news. He is interested in day to day political affairs in India and geopolitics. He earned his BA Journalism (Hons) degree from Ben...

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