NEW DELHI, July 13 — The four-member Axiom Mission 4 (Ax-4) crew, including Indian astronaut Group Captain Shubhanshu Shukla, is set to undock from the International Space Station (ISS) on July 14 at 4:30 pm IST, with their Earth return—via splashdown—scheduled for 3:00 pm IST on July 15, Union Science and Technology Minister Jitendra Singh announced on Sunday.
“These timings have a margin window of approximately one hour. Further updates, if any, shall be shared accordingly,” Singh posted on X, providing the latest update on India’s participation in the private space mission.
The crew’s return was initially scheduled for July 10 but was delayed by at least four days, extending their stay aboard the orbiting laboratory. The European Space Agency (ESA) confirmed the postponement, citing mission requirements.
Axiom-4 launched on June 25 aboard a SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket from NASA’s Kennedy Space Center in Florida. The Dragon spacecraft docked with the ISS on June 26 at 4:05 pm IST, linking to the station’s Harmony module.
The Ax-4 crew comprises Indian Air Force officer Shubhanshu Shukla, veteran NASA astronaut and mission commander Peggy Whitson, ESA project astronaut Slawosz Uznanski-Wisniewski of Poland, and Hungary’s Tibor Kapu, representing the HUNOR program.
During their extended mission, the team undertook a wide range of scientific and technological experiments in microgravity, according to Axiom Space. Group Captain Shukla led three critical experiments, showcasing India’s growing capability in space research.
One such study, known as the sprouts project, focused on understanding how microgravity influences germination and early plant development. The seeds used in the experiment will be cultivated back on Earth across generations to examine any changes in genetic traits, microbial interactions, and nutritional properties.
In another effort, Shukla deployed and later stowed microalgae cultures to assess their potential use in life-support systems. According to Axiom’s mission blog, microalgae could play a crucial role in producing food, oxygen, and even biofuels during long-duration space missions.
The Axiom-4 mission is the latest step in expanding commercial and international access to space. The successful inclusion of an Indian astronaut marks a significant stride in India’s collaborative presence in global space exploration.
