Axiom-4 undocks, to land on Earth today

 

 

ASTRONAUT Shubhanshu Shukla and three others of the commercial Axiom-4 mission on Monday embarked on a journey back to Earth as their Dragon Grace spacecraft undocked from the International Space Station – their home for the last 18 days. The Dragon spacecraft undocked from the International Space Station (ISS) at 4:45 PM IST, a 10-minute delay from the original plan, and fired thrusters twice to move away from the orbital laboratory. The Axiom-4 crew, comprising Shukla, commander Peggy Whitson, and mission specialists Slawosz Uznanski-Wisniewski of Poland and Tibor Kapu of Hungary, spent approximately 433 hours or 18 days and 288 orbits around Earth, covering nearly 7.6 million miles since docking with the International Space Station on June 26. After hugs and handshakes, the four astronauts entered the Dragon spacecraft about two hours prior to undocking, donned their spacesuits and closed the hatch connecting the spacecraft to the ISS at 2:37 PM IST.

 

“Jaldi hi dharti pe mulaqat karte hai (we will meet on Earth soon),” Shukla, who became the second Indian astronaut to travel to space after Rakesh Sharma’s 1984 odyssey, said at the farewell ceremony onboard the ISS on Sunday. After executing the departure burns and exiting the safe zone around the space station, the astronauts doffed their space suits for a comfortable 22.5-hour ride back to Earth. The astronauts will wear the space suits once again before the Dragon Grace spacecraft begins the de-orbit procedures for a splashdown off the California coast at 3:01 PM IST on Tuesday. The four astronauts are expected to spend seven days in rehabilitation as they adjust back to life on Earth under the influence of gravity, unlike the weightlessness experienced in orbit.

 

On Sunday, the Expedition’s 73 astronauts organised a traditional farewell ceremony for the Axiom-4 crew. The Axiom-4 mission marked the return to space for India, Poland and Hungary after over four decades. Final preparations include detaching the capsule’s trunk and orienting the heat shield ahead of atmospheric entry, which will expose the spacecraft to temperatures nearing 1,600 degrees Celsius. Parachutes will deploy in two stages -- first stabilising chutes at about 5.7 km altitude, followed by the main parachutes at roughly two km. Shukla recalled the time when his icon Rakesh Sharma had travelled to space 41 years ago and described how India looked from there. 

 

 

AS ASTRONAUT Shubhanshu Shukla begin his journey back to Earth after completing his 18-day stay aboard the International Space Station, his family in Lucknow is eagerly awaiting his safe return, saying they are filled with immense pride and emotion about the entire experience. They said it was a joy for them to have seen Shubhanshu, “like a child”, show them sights from space but now it was time for some nervous excitement and prayers in the family as the Axiom-4 mission undocks from the ISS on Monday and is expected to splashdown off the California coast on Tuesday. Speaking to PTI Videos at their residence in Lucknow on Monday, Shubhanshu’s father, Shambhu Dayal Shukla, said, “We thank the people and the Honourable Prime Minister for blessing our son. “His mission is coming to an end and we are all ready to welcome him back, even though we won’t meet him immediately as he will first go to the US. We are looking forward to seeing him soon,” he said. Recounting their conversations when Shubhanshu was aboard the ISS, Shambhu Dayal shared fascinating details of his son’s stay at the space station. “He showed us where he lives, works, and sleeps in space. There’s no walking there—people float from one place to another. They sleep standing, strapped in place with belts. “He also showed us incredible views: the sunrise from space, the Earth’s surface, mountains, and the movement of the moon. Watching our child happy in space was the most joyous moment for us,” the proud father said. He added that Shubhanshu’s journey is sure to inspire young minds. “He told school students that if you give your 100 per cent without leaving any room for doubt, you will achieve your target. Even if you fail once, try again and you will succeed.” Shubhanshu’s mother, Asha Devi, said the entire family is overwhelmed with joy and anticipation. “We can’t wait to see him. He kept us updated and showed us sights from space. Today is the first Monday of Sawan, and the family prayed to Lord Shiva at the temple for his safe return,” she said. Speaking about the plans at home, she said the family will give him a warm welcome when he eventually visits Lucknow, though he will first return to his workplace after splashdown on Tuesday. Shubhanshu’s sister, Suchi Shukla, said emotions at home are as intense as they were on launch day. “We’re excited and nervous until splashdown happens, there’s always a bit of anxiety. He was like a child with a new toy, thrilled about the mission. Watching him give us a space tour from the ISS like an excited kid was heartwarming.”