New Delhi: Indian astronaut Shubhanshu Shukla and his fellow crew members aboard the Axiom Mission 4 (Ax-4) are set to return to Earth from the International Space Station (ISS) on July 14, according to NASA officials.
The four-member Ax-4 crew, which launched aboard SpaceX’s Dragon spacecraft from Kennedy Space Center, Florida, on June 25, is preparing to undock after completing an eventful two-week mission.
The return date was confirmed by Steve Stitch, Manager of NASA’s Commercial Crew Program, who told reporters that the undocking is scheduled after the station exits its current high beta period- a time when the ISS receives near-continuous sunlight, requiring enhanced thermal management.
“We are working with the station program, watching the Axiom-4 progress carefully. The current target to undock is July 14,” Stitch said.
The #Ax4 crew is scheduled to undock from the @Space_Station no earlier than Monday, July 14, at 7:05 a.m. ET. pic.twitter.com/o6olQx50II
— Axiom Space (@Axiom_Space) July 10, 2025
The Ax-4 mission marks another milestone in commercial spaceflight, as private astronauts contribute to expanding scientific research in microgravity. The crew comprising Shubhanshu Shukla, veteran astronaut Peggy Whitson, Slawosz Uznanski-Wisniewski, and Tibor Kapu has orbited Earth nearly 230 times, covering a distance of over 96.5 lakh kilometres (6 million miles).
During their time aboard the ISS, the astronauts witnessed approximately 230 sunrises from 250 miles above Earth. The team also took their final off-duty day on the space station, reflecting on their journey and spending time capturing stunning images of Earth, reconnecting with family, and sharing their experiences with audiences back home.
Astronaut Shubhanshu Shukla’s mission became a source of national pride, as he engaged in several high-profile interactions while aboard the ISS. He spoke with Prime Minister Narendra Modi, connected with scientists at ISRO, addressed school students in a live educational session, and even communicated with ISRO centers using HAM radio.
Gazing Down From The Space!
Group Capt Shubhanshu Shukla enjoys the stunning panoramic view of Earth from the 7-windowed Cupola Module aboard the International Space Station. It’s been a remarkable journey as he marks a week in orbit, representing India among the stars.#Axiom4… pic.twitter.com/E9XKZIatng
— MyGovIndia (@mygovindia) July 6, 2025
These activities highlight the growing role of Indian astronauts in international space missions and underscore India’s expanding presence in the global space community.
The Ax-4 mission conducted over 60 scientific experiments, the most ever undertaken on an Axiom Space private astronaut mission. The experiments spanned across biomedical science, advanced materials, neuroscience, agriculture, and space technology.
Axiom Space stated that the mission’s research could lead to breakthroughs in areas such as diabetes management, innovative cancer treatments, and improved human health monitoring, both in space and on Earth. The Ax-4 mission reflects the increasing importance of commercial spaceflight in complementing traditional government-led exploration.
