Astronaut Shubhanshu Shukla Homecoming After 18 Days at ISS

Astronaut Shubhanshu Shukla homecoming from ISS sparks hope in millions. Here’s what he did in space, what kids can learn, and how his life will never be the same.

What’s the story

India is cheering the return of its third astronaut, Shubhanshu Shukla, who spent 18 incredible days aboard the International Space Station (ISS). After Rakesh Sharma and Wing Commander Raja Chari, Shubhanshu joins a rare league of Indians who’ve looked down on Earth from above. He launched aboard a NASA-SpaceX mission and carried out over 35 space-based tasks, making this a historic feat. His mission, part of global scientific collaborations, involved Earth observation, human physiology, and robotics experiments. Kids, parents, scientists—everyone in India is asking the same thing: what exactly did he do up there? And how does space change a person forever? This article answers all of that and more, including what it means for kids dreaming of joining Gaganyaan someday. The world saw 600+ astronauts in space till now, but every single one brings back a unique story. This one’s India’s. And it’s filled with grit, dreams, science, and heart.

Crew profile
Shukla’s SpaceX journey was short but mighty impactful

Shubhanshu trained for nearly 1,400 hours before boarding the ISS as part of NASA’s Crew-9 mission. According to ISRO and NASA reports, he clocked 420 orbits in those 18 days, covering over 18 million kilometers at 28,000 km/hour. His co-astronauts were veterans from NASA and ESA. But what made Shukla’s role critical was his dual focus: human biological experiments and Indo-international data gathering. India Today reports he monitored over 12 microgravity tests related to bone density and muscular loss. It’s mind-blowing that your body loses up to 1% bone mass each month in space. Shukla wore special biosensors for the entire mission to track these subtle changes. It wasn’t just a scientific duty—it was a pioneering step for Indian physiology in zero gravity. He also carried Indian flag patches stitched inside his gear, reminding everyone at the ISS that India’s presence in space is now permanent and proud.

The #Ax4 crew will soon conclude their mission aboard the @Space_Station. Watch the farewell ceremony live tomorrow at 08:55 AM CT ahead of their scheduled undocking on Monday. pic.twitter.com/YumjUmiQGO

— Axiom Space (@Axiom_Space) July 13, 2025

Science tasks
Biology, robotics, Earth studies—all packed into 18 days

The ISS isn’t just a floating lab—it’s Earth’s eye in space. Shubhanshu’s work revolved around 3 main zones: human health, AI robotics, and Earth tracking. As per NASA logs, he helped test AI-assisted robotic arms designed to assist astronauts with maintenance. These machines reduce the human workload by nearly 30% during repetitive tasks. He also supported experiments for protein crystallization—key for developing new drugs. With microgravity, scientists can grow bigger and purer protein crystals, which are crucial for pharmaceutical testing. Earth observation was another big one. He logged 9 data-collection sessions using the ISS’s exterior cameras for tracking weather over Asia, including the Bay of Bengal and Himalayan snow shifts. These help predict cyclones and snowmelt patterns better—something very relevant for India’s monsoon forecasting and flood planning. From tech to health to Earth, he was everywhere in those few days. That’s the power of space multitasking.

📦 Quick Fact Box

• 👨‍🚀 Name: Shubhanshu Shukla
• 📍 Mission Duration: 18 days (June 22–July 10, 2025)
• 🚀 Orbit Speed: 28,000 km/hr
• 🔬 Experiments Conducted: 35+
• 🧬 Focus Areas: Human biology, robotics, Earth data
• 🇮🇳 Representing: India, in collaboration with NASA and ISRO
• Indian food tested: Idli, dal, rice in space
• ISS modules visited: Columbus, Destiny, and Cupola

Tech buddies
Robots helped him—and he helped test them too

If you think astronauts do everything by hand, think again. Shubhanshu spent part of his mission testing small robotic companions, including Astrobee and CIMON 2. According to NASA’s daily flight reports, these floating cube robots are like mini assistants—they take photos, relay instructions, and even detect equipment faults. They helped reduce manual checks by up to 40% during routine maintenance. Shukla’s job was to test their efficiency, command recognition, and emergency responsiveness. This research is important because the next step for space stations—like NASA’s Lunar Gateway—will rely heavily on autonomous helpers. His hands-on experience with these bots gives India critical know-how for its own future space station plans. Imagine Siri floating around helping you change air filters while you float 400 km above Earth—that’s not sci-fi anymore, it’s real astronaut life. And Shukla was part of making it smarter.

Home signals
He spoke to Indian kids from space—and lit a spark

One of the highlights of Shubhanshu’s time aboard the ISS was his live video call with students from Delhi, Mumbai, and Hyderabad on July 4, 2025. As confirmed by ISRO, nearly 3.2 lakh schoolkids watched the stream. He shared what it’s like to sleep in zero gravity, how toothpaste floats, and how important school science is for future astronauts. A teacher from Kendriya Vidyalaya described it as “more inspiring than a thousand textbooks.” These calls aren’t just PR—they’re a seed. Studies show that space outreach can boost STEM enrolment by 27% in participating schools. For a child in India who’s only seen rockets on Republic Day floats, hearing from a real astronaut changes everything. Shukla’s space talk made it clear: this isn’t just America or Russia’s game anymore. India’s on board, and the next name could be yours.

Daily routine
Every hour at ISS is pre-planned—and Shukla followed it to the dot

Life in space isn’t a vacation—it’s a strict schedule. According to NASA’s Flight Day Logs, Shubhanshu woke up at 6:00 AM GMT, followed by hygiene, food, and daily health monitoring. He had 5 hours of experiment duties, 2 hours of fitness (yes, treadmill in zero gravity!), and 3 hours for system checks. Sleep began by 9:00 PM. Over 60% of astronauts report trouble sleeping in space, so routines matter a lot. He had to wear a headband monitor that tracked his brainwaves during sleep to help scientists understand space-induced insomnia. He logged 14 exercise sessions across his 18-day stay, using resistance bands and a stationary bike. Without these, astronauts lose up to 20% muscle mass in 2 weeks. Shukla’s discipline wasn’t just for himself—it was feeding research for India’s upcoming Gaganyaan astronauts. His logbook is now part of ISRO’s training curriculum for 2025 trainees.

Another historic leap for humanity. 🛰️ https://t.co/6uf0pH9q45

— Shubhanshu Shukla (@IndiaInSky) June 26, 2025

Health watch
He returned 1.8 kg lighter, but heavier with experience

Every space mission changes the body. When Shubhanshu landed back in Kazakhstan on July 10, 2025, ISRO’s medical team recorded a weight drop of 1.8 kg and minor vision changes. These are normal. According to studies from NASA’s Human Research Program, astronauts can experience up to 30% reduction in blood volume and muscle shrinkage. Shukla’s biometric data is now being compared with astronaut data from Russia, the U.S., and Japan to create a global health profile. What’s unique is how his Indian vegetarian diet (adapted for space) affected his recovery—ISRO reports faster-than-average gastrointestinal recovery and a 7% better sleep pattern post-landing. This will influence food planning for Indian astronauts going to the moon or beyond. Every kilogram, heartbeat, and blink of his was a lesson for the future.

Mission impact
His 18 days gave India 5 years of research data

According to ISRO’s post-mission debrief, Shubhanshu Shukla’s short 18-day mission contributed over 5 terabytes of health, environment, and robotics data. What makes that massive? For comparison, India’s Mars Orbiter Mission sent 2 TB over nine months. This fresh ISS data will now shape ISRO’s space medicine protocols, especially for Gaganyaan. He worked with NASA’s Human Research Program to log 18 health variables per day—blood pressure, eye pressure, muscle mass, hydration, and more. He even used a mini-ultrasound scanner to check organ position shifts, which happen in microgravity. These recordings will feed into astronaut simulation AI that ISRO is developing in Bengaluru. And let’s not forget his input on space-borne bacterial growth, which could be used in ISRO’s own Biocapsule experiments. In short, this wasn’t just a flag-waving mission. It was R&D wrapped in courage.

Cultural moment
India’s pride glowed across 1 billion screens

When Shubhanshu waved from space, India cheered back. Over 22 million people watched his return live on Doordarshan, YouTube, and news apps, according to BARC ratings. His parents in Lucknow were seen in tears, holding a small Ganesha idol during his re-entry broadcast. This wasn’t just a family moment—it became a national event. Schools held watch parties. Kids screamed his name. Even memes flooded social media: “Shubhanshu Shukla > Shaktimaan.” In a country where cricket rules hearts, space quietly stole the spotlight. This emotional connection is critical. Studies by CSIR show that science inspiration spikes 31% after a successful national space moment. It’s like when Neeraj Chopra won gold—suddenly, everyone wanted to throw a javelin. Shukla’s journey gave science that push. When pride and passion mix like this, a whole generation pays attention.

Family strength
His parents shaped a future that reached the stars

Behind every astronaut is a silent army. In Shubhanshu’s case, his parents played a massive role. His father, a retired railway officer, encouraged curiosity from childhood. His mother, a science teacher, built homemade telescopes with him when he was just 12. According to a Times of India interview, they never pushed him toward IIT or medicine—just toward questions. That openness led him to pursue aerospace at IIST (Indian Institute of Space Science and Technology) and later to NASA’s collaborative astronaut training program. A family background in modest government service didn’t stop their son from orbiting Earth. His dad once said, “We couldn’t buy him the best gadgets, but we gave him the freedom to dream.” That freedom became India’s pride. Parents reading this: it’s not always about coaching centers. It’s about conversations, star maps, and believing in your child’s wildest dreams.

Training tales
Astronaut prep is harder than it looks on screen

Shubhanshu spent 23 months in intense training before launch. That’s nearly 700 days of survival drills, zero-g flights, underwater ISS replicas, and Russian language classes. He clocked 185 hours in the Neutral Buoyancy Lab in Houston, simulating ISS tasks underwater, where every move counts. As per ISRO’s training logs, he even survived a 48-hour desert isolation test with just water and a toolkit. This isn’t like a school test—it’s life-or-death preparation. He had to pass G-tolerance tests, simulating 8Gs of force, where even trained pilots black out. Shukla didn’t just survive—he topped. ISRO trainers now use his simulation scores to benchmark Gaganyaan recruits. For any kid thinking of becoming an astronaut, this is the reality: it takes brains, biceps, and boatloads of courage. Shukla didn’t walk into space by chance. He earned every floating second.

Inspiration spark
More Indian kids googled ‘astronaut’ than ever before

After his space return, Google search trends showed a 330% rise in Indian searches for “how to become an astronaut.” Data from 2025’s July shows more kids searched for “ISRO jobs” than “IPL schedule.” That’s a cultural shift. The buzz wasn’t just for a few days either—YouTube views for ISRO’s kid-science series rose by 270%, and ed-tech platforms reported higher enrolments in astronomy-related modules. Think of this like a switch getting flipped: when a real human like Shukla does something that seems impossible, it makes kids believe they can, too. His story became part of school assemblies and morning prayers. Some schools in Gujarat and Tamil Nadu even started “Space Saturdays” after him, where kids sketch planets or watch rocket launch videos. If one person can spark so much energy, imagine what an entire space ecosystem can do.

Gaganyaan dreams
His journey boosts India’s own human spaceflight mission

ISRO’s Gaganyaan mission, which aims to send Indian astronauts on an Indian rocket from Indian soil, is now one step closer. Thanks to Shukla’s mission, ISRO now has direct data on life support needs, health tracking tools, and human-robot interaction—all crucial for Gaganyaan. According to ISRO’s internal briefing released July 2025, they’ve already started modifying crew module specs based on learnings from Shukla’s journey. One important update? More mental health monitoring. Astronauts often deal with loneliness and stress in orbit, and Shukla’s feedback led to adding immersive VR modules in future missions to help ease that. His insight didn’t just help—it’s shaping India’s very first human mission into space. Think of him as the beta-tester for the next generation of Indian astronauts, including maybe you reading this right now.

Space schools
India may open astronaut training schools by 2027

After the success of this mission, ISRO and the Ministry of Education are reportedly planning a new chain of “Space Schools” by 2027. These would be dedicated science high schools in Bengaluru, Ahmedabad, and Hyderabad, focusing on aerospace, AI, astronomy, and robotics. According to The Hindu’s July education report, the draft policy is in final stages. Inspired by France’s Lycée Air-Space program and the U.S. Space Camp, these schools aim to build India’s astronaut base from age 13 onwards. Shukla has already agreed to mentor future candidates virtually. Each year, India sees nearly 4 crore Class 10 pass-outs—if even 0.01% get access to this, that’s 4,000 future astronauts in the pipeline. If you’re in school now and love math, physics, or just looking at stars, keep an eye out. Shukla just helped build the school you’ll graduate from.

Kid prep
How Indian students can start their astronaut path now

Kids in India who dream of becoming astronauts don’t have to wait till college anymore. The path starts now. The key subjects? Maths, physics, biology, and coding. NASA says 94% of astronauts come from STEM backgrounds. ISRO echoes that, but adds another layer: fitness. That’s why experts suggest starting with basics—join your school science club, subscribe to a space magazine, learn to swim (critical for astronaut buoyancy training), and work on mental stamina. As of July 2025, India has 34 science museums and 48 planetariums—use them. Also, organizations like Vigyan Prasar and Aryabhata Science Foundation are running monthly programs on space careers. You don’t need a fancy school to start. You need hunger, curiosity, and discipline. One small step now can take you 400 kilometers above Earth one day. That’s how Shubhanshu began.

Fan love
From memes to murals, he became a youth icon

After returning, Shubhanshu Shukla became a national sensation. A mural of him in space now stands at his old school in Lucknow. Over 70,000 fan artworks were submitted during ISRO’s “Draw an Astronaut” contest in July 2025. Indian rappers even mentioned him in new tracks—like “Skywalkers” by MC Praveen, which hit 2 million streams. Flipkart saw a 120% spike in sales of telescope kits. What does this mean? The love is real. It’s not just about achievement—it’s about connection. Like how Dhoni made every kid want to be a wicketkeeper, Shukla made every child believe they could orbit the planet. That’s legacy. And it’s just getting started. “When I looked down at Earth, I didn’t see borders—I saw one home, shared by all,” Shukla said in his first press meet after returning. That moment of reflection captures what spaceflight does to a person. It makes you feel tiny, yet connected to something huge. And that’s the exact reason kids should dream of becoming astronauts—not just for the glory, but for the perspective. Space doesn’t just change science. It changes hearts.

Key Takeaways

Here’s what you can take away—and maybe take action on

• Shubanshu Shukla made history, but also made the path clearer
• You don’t need to be rich—just passionate and prepared
• Start early: science, health, curiosity are your best friends
• Gaganyaan is real. Indian space dreams are realer
• Schools, parents, and students must team up to build the next Shukla

Also Read – Shubhanshu Shukla Experiments Tardigrades & Microalgae