After spending almost two weeks on the International Space Station (ISS), Indian astronaut Shubanshu Shukla and three other astronauts from NASA’s Axiom-4 mission are getting ready to return to Earth.
Two Weeks in Space Nearing Completion
According to NASA, the crew is scheduled to undock from the ISS on July 14, officially beginning their journey back home.
The mission, which launched from NASA’s Kennedy Space Centre in Florida on June 25, saw the team arrive at the ISS on June 26 after a 28-hour trip aboard the Dragon spacecraft. This marked the start of their intensive orbital work and scientific research.
“The current plan is to undock on July 14 and we are closely monitoring the progress of the Axiom-4 mission,” said Steve Stich, manager of NASA’s Commercial Crew Program, during a press briefing. This confirms that the mission is approaching its final phase.
The four astronauts—Shubanshu Shukla, Peggy Whitson, Slawosz Uznanski-Wisniewski, and Tibor Kapu—performed approximately 230 orbits of the Earth during the trip. Each orbit gave them a unique chance to witness a sunrise from space, offering a total of 230 sunrises. The team has also covered a distance of nearly 10 million kilometres in orbit.
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Scientific Work and Life in Orbit
The Axiom-4 crew conducted an unprecedented 60 experiments while on board the ISS. Numerous disciplines were covered by these trials, including advanced materials research, neuroscience, space technology, biomedical science, and agriculture. This is the most experiments ever carried out on a private astronaut flight with Axiom.
Some key areas of research during the Axiom-4 mission included diabetes management, innovative cancer treatment methods, and new techniques to monitor astronaut health in microgravity. These studies were designed to provide important data that could help with both future space missions and practical benefits on Earth.
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Apart from their scientific tasks, the Axiom-4 astronauts also found some time to relax and stay connected. From a distance of about 250 miles above Earth, they captured stunning photos and videos of the planet and took part in brief video calls with their families. These moments helped the crew stay emotionally grounded during their stay in space.
Recently, the Axiom-4 team had their final off-duty day, a short rest period before starting physical and mental preparations for re-entry. The final days on the ISS are now focused on finishing their scientific work, organizing collected data, and checking the health and readiness of all crew members before they begin their return journey.
Mission Timeline and Return Details
Private collaborations in space study and exploration are becoming more and more common, and the Axiom-4 mission is one such. This mission was planned and coordinated by Axiom Space and NASA to optimize scientific results and international collaboration.
The Dragon spacecraft that carried the crew to the ISS is also designed to safely return them to Earth. After undocking from the ISS on July 14, the spacecraft will go through a series of steps for re-entry and splashdown. However, NASA has not yet officially disclosed the landing time or location.
The mission’s launch on June 25 was met with excitement and pride, especially in India, with Shubanshu Shukla’s role being highlighted as a major achievement for Indian participation in international space programs. Alongside three other experienced astronauts, Shukla has contributed significantly to the mission’s success.
The spacecraft’s docking with the ISS on June 26 marked the beginning of their 14-day stay in space. The schedule included intensive scientific tasks during the day and brief rest periods, with all astronauts following a tightly managed routine.
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From capturing the Earth’s curve through the spacecraft windows to floating in zero gravity while working with complex lab tools, the Axiom-4 team has experienced a unique life that only a few get to witness. Their experiences, images, and collected data are expected to provide a detailed record of human presence and activity in low Earth orbit.
The return scheduled for July 14 will complete a mission that blends international cooperation, private space enterprise, and scientific exploration—all packed into just over two weeks.
