San Diego, California — After nearly three transformative weeks in space, the crew of Axiom Mission 4 (Ax-4), including Indian Air Force’s Group Captain Shubhanshu Shukla, is all set to return to Earth today. The Dragon spacecraft, named Grace, is expected to splash down in the Pacific Ocean off the coast of San Diego at approximately 3:00 PM IST (2:31 AM PT), marking the successful end of their mission aboard the International Space Station (ISS).
A Journey That Redefined Private Space Missions
The Ax-4 mission, a collaboration between Axiom Space, SpaceX, NASA, ISRO, and international partners, showcased the growing capabilities of commercial human spaceflight. With more than 19 days spent on the ISS, the four-member crew carried out an extensive schedule of over 60 scientific investigations and 20 outreach events, ranging from space-based biological research to student engagement initiatives across the globe.
The crew includes:
- Commander Peggy Whitson – A veteran NASA astronaut and Axiom mission leader
- Pilot Group Captain Shubhanshu Shukla – Representing ISRO and India
- Slawosz “Suave” Uznanski-Wisniewski – ESA project astronaut from Poland
- Tibor Kapu – Astronaut from Hungary’s HUNOR program
Safe Departure from the ISS
The Dragon spacecraft Grace undocked from the Harmony module’s space-facing port at 4:45 PM IST on Monday, beginning its 22.5-hour return journey. According to NASA, the spacecraft gradually drifted away from the ISS, entering an orbital descent path that will allow it to safely re-enter Earth’s atmosphere and deliver its crew and cargo back home.
In its blog update, NASA noted the separation was “smooth and fully nominal,” a critical phase in any spaceflight return operation.
Sonic Boom Expected Ahead of Splashdown
SpaceX, in a post on X (formerly Twitter), confirmed that the re-entry process is progressing as planned, and people near the San Diego coastline may even hear a brief sonic boom just moments before Grace splashes down.
“Dragon and the Axiom Space Ax-4 crew are on track to re-enter Earth’s atmosphere and splash down off the coast of San Diego… Dragon will also announce its arrival with a brief sonic boom,” SpaceX shared.
Science, Collaboration, and Inspiration
More than just a journey, Ax-4 was a mission steeped in science, collaboration, and education. The experiments conducted ranged from materials science and biomedical studies to earth observation and robotics.
For Group Captain Shubhanshu Shukla, the mission marked a historic milestone — as he became one of the few Indians to fly in space and participate in an extended ISS stay through a commercial mission. His presence on the ISS reflects India’s growing prominence in international space exploration.
Axiom Space, during its live broadcast, emphasized the mission’s outreach impact — students from across continents were able to interact with the astronauts and witness live educational sessions, giving the next generation a front-row seat to space science in action.
Return Cargo: Science Comes Home
When Grace touches down, it will bring back more than just its human crew. According to NASA, the Dragon capsule is loaded with over 580 pounds (approx. 263 kg) of cargo, including:
- Scientific data and samples from over 60 experiments
- NASA hardware and tools
- Research materials critical for follow-up analysis on Earth
These materials will provide ground teams with essential information to assess long-term space impacts on human health, material properties, and future mission planning.
What’s Next for Commercial Space Travel?
The successful completion of Ax-4 reinforces the viability of commercial crewed missions to the ISS and beyond. Axiom Space is already planning future missions and aims to develop the world’s first commercial space station in low Earth orbit by the end of the decade.
With nations like India, Hungary, and Poland now actively participating in such ventures, the future of space is becoming truly global and inclusive.
A Mission to Remember
As Dragon Grace prepares to meet the Pacific waters, the world watches in anticipation — not just for the safe return of the crew, but for the possibilities this mission has opened up. From inspiring school children in India and Europe to advancing science in microgravity, Ax-4 has achieved far more than just a round trip to space.
The splashdown, expected to be visible to nearby support ships and NASA tracking systems, will symbolize the conclusion of a mission that bridged science, education, and international cooperation — and hinted at the limitless future of private spaceflight.
