Shubhanshu Shukla's first picture upon landing on Earth from International Space Station

Group Captain Shubhanshu Shukla, India's Gaganyatri, has safely returned to Earth. The SpaceX crew capsule 'Grace', carrying Group Captain Shukla and his fellow astronauts, splashed down in the Pacific Ocean off the coast of San Diego, California, shortly after 3 pm IST. Around 50 minutes after landing, he was assisted out of the spacecraft. According to Union Minister Jitendra Singh, Group Captain Shukla is expected to return to Delhi on August 17.

An accomplished Indian Air Force pilot, Group Captain Shukla is only the second Indian to travel to space, following Wing Commander Rakesh Sharma’s historic flight in 1984. He holds the distinction of being the first Indian to visit the USD 150-billion



International Space Station, a milestone that marks a major step in India’s space journey.

As he returns from this landmark mission, the nation welcomes Group Captain Shukla with pride. His courage, dedication and achievement have not only carved a place for India in the international space community but have also ignited the imagination of a billion people.

Pictures from the docking station gave us the first glimpse of the Indian astronaut as he stepped out of the Dragon capsule with assistance from the SpaceX crew. Dressed in a white space suit, Shukla was all smiles and waved to the camera as he stepped onto the recovery vehicle after his return from space on the completion of the 18-day mission.