Indian Astronaut Shubhanshu Shukla Set for July 14 Return from ISS
IAF Group Captain Shubhanshu Shukla, India's first astronaut to visit the International Space Station in 40 years, is scheduled to begin his journey back to Earth on July 14. During his 14-day mission, Shukla conducted seven India-specific experiments crucial for the nation's Gaganyaan human spaceflight program, studying muscle loss and sprouting seeds in orbit. His successful mission and upcoming return mark a significant and inspiring milestone for India's ambitions in space exploration and scientific research.
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Shukla conducted seven India-specific experiments, including studying muscle loss and sprouting seeds in orbit. These are crucial for the Gaganyaan human spaceflight program, as understanding muscle atrophy in microgravity and plant growth in space helps design better life-support systems and future long-duration missions for Indian astronauts.
Shukla was selected in 2019 as one of four astronaut-designates for India's Gaganyaan mission. He underwent rigorous astronaut training at the Yuri Gagarin Cosmonaut Training Centre in Russia and India’s Astronaut Training Facility in Bengaluru, which included spaceflight simulations, capsule tests, and zero-gravity exercises to prepare for the demands of space missions.
Shukla's mission marks the first time in 40 years an Indian has visited the ISS and only the second time an Indian has traveled to space. It positions India among a select group of nations with human spaceflight capability and boosts confidence and knowledge for the upcoming Gaganyaan mission, symbolizing India’s growing ambitions in space exploration.
The last Indian astronaut before Shukla was Rakesh Sharma, who flew to space in 1984 as part of a joint Indo-Soviet mission aboard Soyuz T-11. Sharma spent nearly eight days on the Salyut 7 space station, conducting life sciences and materials research, making him the first Indian in space.