‘Holding Them Felt Like Home’: Shubhanshu Shukla Reunites with Family After 18 Days in Space
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Jefry Jenifer
, Jul 17, 2025 05:32 PM 0 Comments
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New Delhi :
July 17, 2025 | New Delhi : After 18 days orbiting the Earth on the private Axiom-4 mission, Indian astronaut Shubhanshu Shukla finally returned to familiar ground and to the arms of his family. “Holding them felt like home,” said an emotional Shukla, describing his reunion with his wife and children after splashdown on Tuesday.
Shukla was part of a four-member international crew aboard the Axiom-4 mission - the fourth commercial spaceflight organized by Axiom Space. Alongside Shukla were legendary astronaut and commander Peggy Whitson, who has clocked more time in space than any other American; Slawosz Uznanski-Wisniewski of Poland; and Tibor Kapu of Hungary, both mission specialists.
The team lifted off from NASA’s Kennedy Space Center earlier this month, heading to the International Space Station (ISS) on a mission focused on microgravity research, international collaboration, and commercial space development.
‘Space Was Incredible, But Nothing Beats Earth’
Speaking to reporters shortly after landing, Shukla said the mission had been a life-changing experience. “Floating above Earth’s atmosphere, watching the blue marble from orbit - it’s humbling,” he said. “But nothing compares to the feeling of gravity pulling you into your family’s hug.”
Shukla also shared that he spent his last day aboard the ISS looking at photos of his family, counting down hours. “Space teaches you perspective,” he said. “But it also teaches you what and who matters most.”
A Proud Moment for India
Shukla's inclusion in the Axiom-4 crew marks another proud milestone for India’s growing footprint in international space exploration. He is the second Indian-origin astronaut on a commercial space mission, after Rakesh Sharma’s historic flight in 1984 and subsequent participation of Indian-Americans in NASA programs.
The Ministry of External Affairs and ISRO both issued congratulatory messages, calling Shukla’s journey “a symbol of India’s rising presence in global space collaboration.”
Prime Minister Narendra Modi also took to social media to congratulate him: “Welcome home, Shubhanshu Shukla! Your journey inspires millions of Indians dreaming among the stars. Jai Hind!”
Axiom-4: The Future of Spaceflight
The Axiom-4 mission represents the evolution of space travel - a collaboration between national agencies and private enterprise. The crew conducted over 30 experiments during their stay, focusing on biomedical research, Earth observation, and technology demonstration in zero-gravity environments.
Peggy Whitson praised the crew’s chemistry and the professionalism of the entire mission. “Shubhanshu brought a quiet intensity and unshakable focus to the team. He was born to do this.”
Looking Ahead
Now back on Earth, Shukla plans to spend the next few weeks debriefing and undergoing medical evaluations. But for now, he says, it’s all about reconnecting.
“I’m just going to enjoy simple things - gravity, home-cooked food, the chaos of real life, and above all, the comfort of family,” he said, smiling.
The sky may not be the limit anymore, but for Shubhanshu Shukla, home is still where gravity and love pull strongest.