‘Saare Jahan Se Accha’—Astronaut Shukla Says India Shines with Confidence from Space

Shubhanshu Shukla Bids Farewell to ISS as Axiom-4 Mission Nears Return.

After two weeks of conducting cutting-edge science experiments aboard the International Space Station (ISS), Indian Air Force Group Captain and astronaut Shubhanshu Shukla, along with his fellow Axiom-4 crewmates, is preparing to return to Earth on Monday, July 15.

As the Axiom-4 mission draws to a close, the astronauts came together for a farewell celebration, marked by a shared meal featuring dishes from the six nations represented aboard the station. The ISS is currently home to 11 astronauts—seven from Expedition 73 and four from the Axiom-4 commercial mission.

A Tribute to India From Space
At a formal farewell ceremony, Shukla paid homage to India’s journey in space exploration, echoing astronaut Rakesh Sharma’s legendary 1984 words: “Saare Jahan Se Accha.” Shukla remarked that today’s India appears “ambitious, fearless, and full of pride” from orbit, and added in Hindi, “Aaj ka Bharat space se nidar, garv se purn dikhta hai.”

Reflecting on his time aboard the ISS, Shukla called the mission “an incredible journey” and credited his teammates—Commander Peggy Whitson, Poland’s Slawosz Uznanski, and Hungary’s Tibor Kapu—for making the experience deeply rewarding.

“It was a joy to be here and to work with such a dedicated team of professionals,” he said.

He also extended heartfelt gratitude to the people of India, ISRO, NASA, Axiom Space, researchers, and students for their support.

“This journey has been nothing short of magical. I’m thankful to my country and its people for their faith in me. I carry back countless memories and valuable learning,” he said.

Return Timeline and Splashdown
The Axiom-4 crew is scheduled to undock from the space-facing port of the Harmony module aboard the SpaceX Dragon spacecraft at approximately 7:05 a.m. EDT (4:35 p.m. IST) on July 14, subject to weather conditions. The crew is expected to splash down off the coast of California on July 15 at 3:00 p.m. IST, according to an update from Union Science and Technology Minister Jitendra Singh.

“We are working with the station program, and the current target for undocking is July 14,” said Steve Stitch, Manager of NASA’s Commercial Crew Program.

Launched on June 25 from NASA’s Kennedy Space Center, the Axiom-4 mission reached the ISS on June 26 after a 28-hour journey aboard the Dragon capsule.

With over 60 experiments conducted in fields ranging from biomedicine and neuroscience to agriculture and space technology, Axiom-4 has marked the most research-intensive private astronaut mission by Axiom Space to date.

Rehabilitation and India’s Gaganyaan Vision
Following splashdown, Shukla will undergo a seven-day rehabilitation program under the care of a flight surgeon to help him readjust to Earth’s gravity. According to ISRO, this mission represents a critical step in preparing for India’s maiden human spaceflight mission, Gaganyaan, which is slated for launch in 2027.

India invested approximately ₹550 crore ($66 million) in Shukla’s participation in the Axiom-4 mission—an investment that not only signals its growing commitment to human spaceflight but also offers valuable operational experience for future missions.