Indian astronaut Shubhanshu Shukla, at present on board the Worldwide Area Station, is anticipated to start his journey again to Earth on July 14, and attain on July 15, confirmed the Indian Area 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 sequence 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 turned the primary Indian to go to the ISS and the second Indian astronaut after Wing Commander Rakesh Sharma, who went to area in 1984. On the orbital publish, Shukla carried out a number of experiments in microgravity, developed underneath a collaboration between the Indian Area 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 area, 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 area 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 influence of area surroundings on human muscle cells; sprouting of methi and moong seeds with relevance to crew vitamin; Cyanobacteria experiment learning the expansion of two varieties with relevance to life help programs.
The experiments symbolize a big leap in area 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 might be nearing completion embody learning microalgae, crop seeds, and voyager show,” the nationwide area company mentioned.
In the meantime, NASA in a weblog publish knowledgeable that the Ax-4 crew will on Saturday finalise “science experiments together with {an electrical} muscle stimulation research, testing swimsuit materials that promote thermal consolation whereas exercising, and filming crew actions for a behavioural well being research. On Sunday, they are going to 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 bear a rehabilitation programme (about seven days) underneath 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 way of participation in personal medical/psychological conferences,” the area company mentioned.