Tue Jul 15 02:06:51 UTC 2025: **Summary:**

Indian astronaut Group Captain Shubhanshu Shukla, part of the Axiom Mission 4 (Ax-4) crew, is returning to Earth aboard the SpaceX Dragon spacecraft after spending 18 days at the International Space Station (ISS). The Dragon is scheduled to splash down off the coast of San Diego at 3:01 p.m. IST (2:31 a.m. PT) on July 15, 2025. The return journey will involve a series of orbital maneuvers, and the Dragon will create a sonic boom upon re-entry. The Ax-4 mission included around 60 scientific studies from 31 countries, and the Dragon is carrying over 580 pounds of cargo back to Earth.

**News Article:**

**Indian Astronaut Shubhanshu Shukla Returns to Earth After Successful ISS Mission**

**Bengaluru, July 15, 2025:** Indian astronaut Group Captain Shubhanshu Shukla is set to splash down off the coast of San Diego at 3:01 p.m. IST today, marking the successful conclusion of his 18-day mission aboard the International Space Station (ISS). Shukla, a member of the Axiom Mission 4 (Ax-4) crew, traveled to the ISS aboard the SpaceX Dragon spacecraft, along with veteran astronaut Peggy Whitson (U.S.), Polish engineer Sławosz Uznański, and Hungarian researcher Tibor Kapu.

The SpaceX Dragon departed the orbiting laboratory on Tuesday and is currently on track for a Pacific Ocean splashdown. According to SpaceX, the Dragon will announce its arrival with a brief sonic boom as it re-enters Earth’s atmosphere.

During their time on the ISS, the Ax-4 crew participated in around 60 scientific studies and activities representing 31 countries, including the U.S., India, Poland, Hungary, and others. The mission’s research complement covered a wide range of scientific disciplines.

The Dragon spacecraft is now returning to Earth with over 580 pounds of cargo, including NASA hardware and data from the numerous experiments conducted during the mission.

Group Captain Shukla’s participation in the Ax-4 mission marks a significant milestone for India’s space program and highlights the country’s growing role in international space exploration. The successful completion of this mission will provide valuable data and contribute to advancements in various scientific fields.

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