Shubhanshu Shukla & Axiom Mission 4 Astronauts to Return to Earth: Splashdown Date and Time Inside

Indian astronaut Shubhanshu Shukla and his team have begun their return journey from the International Space Station (ISS) aboard the Axiom Mission 4. The crew departed early on Monday, with plans to land in the Pacific Ocean near California on Tuesday at approximately 3:01 pm IST. Axiom Space will provide live coverage of the splashdown starting at 2 pm IST.

The SpaceX Dragon spacecraft detached from the ISS's Harmony module at 4:45 pm IST on Monday. This mission includes Shubhanshu Shukla, commander Peggy Whitson, and mission specialists Slawosz Uznanski-Wisniewski and Tibor Kapu. Dr Jitendra Singh, Union Minister of Science and Technology, mentioned that the arrival is expected around 3 pm, allowing for a one-hour margin.

Live Coverage of Splashdown

Axiom Space announced that the Dragon capsule will re-enter Earth's atmosphere and splash down off San Diego's coast. Before landing in the Pacific Ocean, it will create a brief sonic boom. The spacecraft is currently on track for its return journey to Earth.

During undocking, astronauts donned their white and black flight suits before separating from the station. A few rocket thrusts ensured the capsule moved safely away from the ISS. The Dragon capsule is now navigating an orbital path to bring back both crew and cargo safely.

Scientific Achievements

Axiom Space shared that the spacecraft will perform several departure burns to distance itself from the ISS. Throughout this mission, over 60 scientific studies and more than 20 outreach events were conducted successfully. According to ISRO, Shubhanshu Shukla completed all seven microgravity experiments as planned.

Shubhanshu Shukla's parents expressed their anticipation for his safe return after successful undocking from the ISS. His father conveyed happiness about the undocking process and hoped for a smooth landing. They remain hopeful for his safe arrival back on Earth.

Launch Details

The SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket launched this crew from NASA's Kennedy Space Centre in Florida on June 25. Dr Jitendra Singh also expressed joy over Axiom-4's successful undocking and eagerly awaits Captain Shubhanshu Shukla's return to India.

This mission marks a significant milestone with its successful completion of scientific experiments and outreach activities, showcasing India's growing presence in space exploration.