Indian Air Force Group Captain Shubhanshu Shukla delivered a heartfelt farewell message from the International Space Station (ISS) as he and his Axiom Mission 4 (Ax-4) crewmates prepare to return to Earth. Blending nostalgia with pride, he echoed the historic words of Rakesh Sharma with a modern perspective:
“Aaj ka Bharat space se mahatvakaanshi dikhta hai, nidar dikhta hai, confident dikhta hai, garv se poorn dikhta hai... aur inhi sab kaarano se aaj mai fir se keh sakta hoon ki aaj ka Bharat abhi bhi saare jahaan se acha dikhta hai.”
(“Today’s India looks ambitious, fearless, confident, and full of pride from space—and for all these reasons, I can once again say that India still appears better than the entire world.”)
A live farewell event with NASA’s Expedition 73 crew is scheduled for 7:25 PM IST on July 14, streamed by Axiom Space.
As the Ax-4 crew prepares to leave orbit, their mission stands as a testament to international cooperation, scientific progress, and the indomitable spirit of exploration.
Gratitude to collaborators
During his remarks, Group Captain Shukla expressed deep appreciation to ISRO, NASA, Axiom Space, SpaceX, international partners, and the citizens of India for their support.
He said it felt almost magical to be there and thanked his country and everyone who made the mission possible, including the ISRO teams who developed protocols, and the researchers and students who contributed experiments and outreach materials.
Shukla stressed the extraordinary experience of working alongside professionals from around the world, underscoring how the mission’s impact extended beyond science.
Reflections on unity
Agreeing with Hungarian astronaut Tibor Kapu, Shukla highlighted the power of international collaboration.
He noted that the most profound realization he would bring back was what humanity can accomplish when people from different countries unite behind a shared goal. “It’s truly remarkable,” he said.
The beloved astronaut ended his message on an optimistic note: “We will meet soon on Earth.” The farewell ceremony concluded with an emotional moment as the crew embraced, which was later shared by Axiom Space on social media.
Mission overview
Group Captain Shukla, the first Indian astronaut to visit the ISS, and his Ax-4 teammates are scheduled to begin their return journey on July 14. They will undock from the station at around 4:35 PM IST, with splashdown expected in the Pacific Ocean off the California coast at approximately 3 PM IST on July 15.
The trip aboard the Dragon spacecraft will take about 22 hours, concluding nearly 18 days spent in orbit.
The Ax-4 crew comprises Commander Peggy Whitson, Pilot Shubhanshu Shukla representing ISRO, European Space Agency project astronaut Slawosz “Suave” Uznanski-Wisniewski from Poland, and Hungarian astronaut Tibor Kapu. The mission launched on June 25 aboard a SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket from NASA’s Kennedy Space Center in Florida, and the spacecraft docked with the ISS a day later, ahead of schedule.
Scientific research
Throughout the mission, the team conducted over 60 scientific experiments and numerous outreach activities. The Dragon capsule will return with more than 580 pounds of research samples and equipment.
On “flight day 18,” the astronauts were still working intensively. Tibor Kapu advanced the Fruit Fly DNA Repair experiment and the VITAPRIC project on nutrient-rich plant growth.
Group Captain Shukla led the testing of Continuous Glucose Monitors in microgravity, an important step for enabling diabetic individuals to participate in spaceflight.
Other projects included the Voyager Displays study of eye tracking and coordination, ENPERCHAR research into perception in microgravity, the Neuromotion VR study assessing motor skills and attention, Suit Fabric tests collecting data on heat transfer and material properties, and investigations into stress reduction and mental health using neurofeedback techniques.
“Aaj ka Bharat space se mahatvakaanshi dikhta hai, nidar dikhta hai, confident dikhta hai, garv se poorn dikhta hai... aur inhi sab kaarano se aaj mai fir se keh sakta hoon ki aaj ka Bharat abhi bhi saare jahaan se acha dikhta hai.”
(“Today’s India looks ambitious, fearless, confident, and full of pride from space—and for all these reasons, I can once again say that India still appears better than the entire world.”)
A live farewell event with NASA’s Expedition 73 crew is scheduled for 7:25 PM IST on July 14, streamed by Axiom Space.
As the Ax-4 crew prepares to leave orbit, their mission stands as a testament to international cooperation, scientific progress, and the indomitable spirit of exploration.
Gratitude to collaborators
During his remarks, Group Captain Shukla expressed deep appreciation to ISRO, NASA, Axiom Space, SpaceX, international partners, and the citizens of India for their support.
He said it felt almost magical to be there and thanked his country and everyone who made the mission possible, including the ISRO teams who developed protocols, and the researchers and students who contributed experiments and outreach materials.
Shukla stressed the extraordinary experience of working alongside professionals from around the world, underscoring how the mission’s impact extended beyond science.
Reflections on unity
Agreeing with Hungarian astronaut Tibor Kapu, Shukla highlighted the power of international collaboration.
He noted that the most profound realization he would bring back was what humanity can accomplish when people from different countries unite behind a shared goal. “It’s truly remarkable,” he said.
The beloved astronaut ended his message on an optimistic note: “We will meet soon on Earth.” The farewell ceremony concluded with an emotional moment as the crew embraced, which was later shared by Axiom Space on social media.
Mission overview
Group Captain Shukla, the first Indian astronaut to visit the ISS, and his Ax-4 teammates are scheduled to begin their return journey on July 14. They will undock from the station at around 4:35 PM IST, with splashdown expected in the Pacific Ocean off the California coast at approximately 3 PM IST on July 15.
The trip aboard the Dragon spacecraft will take about 22 hours, concluding nearly 18 days spent in orbit.
The Ax-4 crew comprises Commander Peggy Whitson, Pilot Shubhanshu Shukla representing ISRO, European Space Agency project astronaut Slawosz “Suave” Uznanski-Wisniewski from Poland, and Hungarian astronaut Tibor Kapu. The mission launched on June 25 aboard a SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket from NASA’s Kennedy Space Center in Florida, and the spacecraft docked with the ISS a day later, ahead of schedule.
Scientific research
Throughout the mission, the team conducted over 60 scientific experiments and numerous outreach activities. The Dragon capsule will return with more than 580 pounds of research samples and equipment.
On “flight day 18,” the astronauts were still working intensively. Tibor Kapu advanced the Fruit Fly DNA Repair experiment and the VITAPRIC project on nutrient-rich plant growth.
Group Captain Shukla led the testing of Continuous Glucose Monitors in microgravity, an important step for enabling diabetic individuals to participate in spaceflight.
Other projects included the Voyager Displays study of eye tracking and coordination, ENPERCHAR research into perception in microgravity, the Neuromotion VR study assessing motor skills and attention, Suit Fabric tests collecting data on heat transfer and material properties, and investigations into stress reduction and mental health using neurofeedback techniques.
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