Indian astronaut Shubhanshu Shukla, presently on board the Worldwide House Station, is anticipated to start his journey again to Earth on July 14, and attain on July 15, confirmed the Indian House Analysis Organisation (ISRO).
Shukla, together with three different crew members Peggy Whitson, Sławosz Uznański-Wiśniewski, and Tibor Kapu will undock contained in the SpaceX Dragon spacecraft from the Concord module’s space-facing port for a return to Earth.
“Following a collection of orbital maneuvers after undocking, Crew Dragon spacecraft is anticipated to splashdown close to the coast of California, US on July 15, 2025 at 15:00hrs (IST),” ISRO mentioned in an announcement.
“Gaganyatri Shubhanshu is in good well being situation and in excessive spirit,” the assertion added.
IAF Group Captain Shukla is on a 14-day mission to the ISS. He grew to become the primary Indian to go to the ISS and the second Indian astronaut after Wing Commander Rakesh Sharma, who went to house in 1984. On the orbital put up, Shukla carried out a number of experiments in microgravity, developed below a collaboration between the Indian House Analysis Organisation (ISRO), and the Division of Biotechnology (DBT), and NASA.
These included experiments to decode muscle loss, creating a brain-computer interface, and sprouting inexperienced gram and fenugreek seeds in house, amongst others.
“Gaganyatri Shubhanshu Shukla is actively advancing a collection of seven microgravity experiments as a part of India’s participation within the Axiom-04 house mission. Amongst these 4 experiments have been efficiently accomplished, and three are nearing completion,” ISRO mentioned.
The 4 accomplished experiments embody Indian pressure of Tardigrades involving survival, revival, replica and transcriptome; Myogenesis learning the impression of house surroundings on human muscle cells; sprouting of methi and moong seeds with relevance to crew diet; Cyanobacteria experiment learning the expansion of two varieties with relevance to life help programs.
The experiments signify a big leap in house science and expertise, contributing vital data to help Gaganyaan, Bhartiya Antariksha Station, and future planetary missions.
ISRO famous that the finished microgravity experiments are being readied for his or her journey again to earth for additional evaluation.
“Three experiments which can be nearing completion embody learning microalgae, crop seeds, and voyager show,” the nationwide house company mentioned.
In the meantime, NASA in a weblog put up knowledgeable that the Ax-4 crew will on Saturday finalise “science experiments together with {an electrical} muscle stimulation research, testing go well with materials that promote thermal consolation whereas exercising, and filming crew actions for a behavioural well being research. On Sunday, they’ll start packing science gear full of analysis samples and loading private gadgets and different cargo inside Dragon for retrieval on Earth”.
After touchdown, Shukla, together with different crew members will endure a rehabilitation programme (about seven days) below supervision of Flight Surgeons to adapt again to Earth’s gravity.
“ISRO’s flight surgeons are repeatedly monitoring and guaranteeing the general well being and health of the Gaganyatri by participation in non-public medical/psychological conferences,” the house company mentioned.
