New Delhi: India’s space trailblazer, Group Captain Shubhanshu Shukla, received a rousing reception at Delhi’s International Airport early Saturday after returning from his historic mission to the International Space Station (ISS).
Union Minister Dr. Jitendra Singh, Delhi CM Rekha Gupta, and ISRO Chairman Dr. V. Narayanan joined his family in welcoming the nation’s newest space hero.
Group Captain Shubhanshu Shukla arrived back in India. He is welcomed by Union MoS for Science & Technology, Dr Jitendra Singh and Delhi CM Rekha Gupta, in the presence of his wife, Kamna Shukla, and their son. pic.twitter.com/POA3mQp7sH
— Geetika Sharma (@geetika851) August 17, 2025
Shukla, who piloted NASA’s Axiom-4 mission launched on June 25 from Kennedy Space Centre, carried out pioneering microgravity experiments before safely returning to Earth on July 15. Following weeks of rehabilitation in the US, he is now back home.
In a heartfelt Instagram post, Shukla shared his joy at reuniting with loved ones, calling the mission “a dream fulfilled for India.”
A decorated Indian Air Force officer, Shukla remains central to India’s space ambitions. He is also shortlisted for the country’s maiden human spaceflight, Gaganyaan, expected to launch next year.
