Shubhanshu Shukla's Axiom-4 mission likely to return to earth on July 14

The Axiom-4 mission blasted off from the Kennedy Space Centre in Florida on June 25, and the Dragon spacecraft docked at the ISS after a 28-hour journey.

Updated on: Jul 10, 2025, 22:26:00 IST

By HT News Desk

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After staying in the International Space Station (ISS) for over two weeks, Indian astronaut Shubhanshu Shukla is set to return to earth next week. NASA said on Thursday announced that the Axiom-4 (Ax-4) mission crew is set to return from the ISS on July 14.

Shukla, who is on the space station as part of the Axiom-4 mission, will be returning to earth on July 14. (Axiom Space)

“We are working with the station program, watching the Axiom-4 progress carefully. I think we need to undock that mission and the current target to undock is July 14,” Steve Stitch, Manager, NASA Commercial Crew Program, told a press conference.

The Axiom-4 mission blasted off from the Kennedy Space Centre in Florida on June 25, and the Dragon spacecraft docked at the space station the next day after a 28-hour journey.

The Axiom-4 crew, comprising Shukla, Peggy Whitson, Slawosz Uznanski-Wisniewski and Tibor Kapu, have witnessed 230 sunrises onboard the International Space Station (ISS) and travelled nearly 100 lakh kms in space at the end of two weeks on the orbital laboratory.

Also Read: India's Shubhanshu Shukla turns space farmer, grows methi and moong seeds on ISS

"From about 250 miles above the Earth, the crew spent their downtime capturing images and video, taking in the view of our home planet below, and reconnecting with loved ones," an Axiom Space statement said on Thursday.

These moments offer a rare pause in an otherwise rigorous daily schedule, it said.

Since the start of their work on ISS, Axiom Space has said the crew members have advanced scientific studies, tested new technologies, and engaged in global outreach efforts.

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HT News Desk
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