"Fearless, Confident India": Astronaut Shubhanshu Shukla's Poignant Farewell from the ISS

In a deeply moving address from the International Space Station (ISS), Indian astronaut Shubhanshu Shukla offered a powerful glimpse into India's soaring ambitions in space. As the Axiom-4 crew prepared for their return to Earth, Shukla's words, delivered in both English and Hindi, resonated with national pride and an unwavering vision for the future.

"Forty-one years ago, an Indian ventured into space and shared with us how our nation looked from above," Shukla remarked, recalling a pivotal moment in India's space journey. "Today, from this vantage point, India appears ambitious, fearless, confident, and brimming with pride. Indeed, it still looks 'Saare Jahan Se Acha' [better than the entire world]."

Shukla acknowledged the monumental task ahead, stating, "Our journey into space exploration may be long and arduous, but it has truly begun." His words underscore a nation not just content with its past achievements but fiercely determined to push the boundaries of scientific discovery.

The four-member Ax-4 mission, which included Shubhanshu Shukla, the U.S.'s Peggy Whitson, Poland’s Sławosz Uznański-Wiśniewski, and Hungary’s Tibor Kapu, launched on June 25th and docked with the ISS the following day. Their planned 14-day stay was extended by nearly three days due to unfavorable weather conditions, providing them with extra time to conduct critical research.

During the farewell ceremony, attended by the seven existing ISS crew members, the Axiom astronauts were lauded for their contributions. "Your dedication to science and your professionalism definitely marks a new standard for a private astronaut mission," one of the ISS astronauts expressed, highlighting the significant impact of their work.

Group Captain Shukla, reflecting on his incredible journey, shared, "The experience has been far beyond what I had imagined since I arrived at the ISS. I'm taking back cherished memories and invaluable lessons." He emphasized the broader implications of their scientific endeavors, believing that "the science experiments we performed at ISS will have bigger implications beyond the science itself."

Shukla also praised the seamless collaboration among all crew members, a testament to humanity's collective potential. "The one thing I take back is what humanity can achieve and is capable of doing when we work with a common goal," he concluded, signing off with a warm "See you soon on Earth."

According to NASA, the Dragon spacecraft's undocking is slated for 4:30 PM IST. If all proceeds as planned, the capsule will splash down off the coast of California sometime on Tuesday afternoon. Following their return, the astronauts will undergo a comprehensive seven-day rehabilitation program under the supervision of Flight Surgeons to help them re-acclimatize to Earth's gravity.

The Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) confirmed that Shukla successfully completed all planned scientific experiments on the ISS. These Indian-led microgravity experiments represent a crucial leap in space science and technology, contributing vital knowledge to support upcoming missions like Gaganyaan, the Bhartiya Antariksha Station, and future planetary explorations.