**Historic Return: India's First Astronaut at the ISS Concludes Journey**

Shukla reflects on India's burgeoning space ambitions as the craft makes its way back to Earth, showcasing the nation's commitment to exploration.

Astronaut Shubhanshu Shukla, the first Indian to step foot on the International Space Station (ISS), is currently journeying back to Earth following a groundbreaking mission. The Axiom-4 (Ax-4) mission, which Shukla led as Group Captain, undocked from the ISS and is expected to splash down in less than 24 hours. The mission, which featured a four-member crew including former NASA veteran Peggy Whitson, Polish astronaut Slawosz Uznanski-Wisniewski, and Tibor Kapu from Hungary, marked a significant achievement for India's space exploration efforts.

Shukla's flight to the ISS was a historic event, making him only the second Indian to journey into space, following cosmonaut Rakesh Sharma’s flight in 1984. The Ax-4 mission is a collaborative venture between NASA, India's ISRO, the European Space Agency (ESA), and SpaceX. On social media, ISS updated followers as Shukla and his crew took their positions for the return flight. The craft is expected to land off the California coast, where a retrieval vessel will be waiting.

In a poignant farewell address from the ISS, Shukla spoke about the challenges and aspirations of India's space program. He expressed pride in India's advancements, stating, "Even from space, today's India appears ambitious, fearless, and proud." Highlighting the historical significance of his mission, he quoted Rakesh Sharma, reaffirming India's relentless pursuit of scientific achievement.

Initially scheduled for a two-week stay, Ax-4 spent slightly longer at the ISS, during which the crew conducted 60 scientific experiments, seven of which were designed in collaboration with ISRO. The Indian space agency invested 5 billion rupees (approximately $59 million) to secure Shukla's mission and training, anticipating that the experience will significantly benefit future human spaceflight initiatives.

Looking ahead, ISRO has announced plans to launch "Gaganyaan," India's first human spaceflight by 2027, while aiming to establish a space station by 2035 and aspire to send astronauts to the Moon by 2040. Shukla, who has extensive experience as a pilot and flew various aircraft, described his transformational year leading up to the mission and expressed hopes for the future of India's space endeavors.

As he concludes this historic chapter, Shukla carries not just mementos of his journey but also the dreams and aspirations of millions of Indians, as he says, "The best is yet to come."