International Space Station, July 14, 2025, 4:45 PM IST – After an impactful 18-day stay aboard the International Space Station (ISS), the four private astronauts of Axiom Mission 4 (Ax-4) successfully undocked from the orbiting laboratory on Monday, July 14, 2025, at approximately 4:45 PM IST. The crew, consisting of Commander Peggy Whitson of the U.S., Pilot Shubhanshu “Shux” Shukla of India, and Mission Specialists Sławosz “Suave” Uznański-Wiśniewski of Poland and Tibor Kapu of Hungary, began their 22.5-hour journey back to Earth aboard the SpaceX Dragon spacecraft, named “Grace.”
The departure marked the culmination of a highly successful mission that saw the Ax-4 crew conduct over 60 scientific experiments and numerous outreach activities. Their work encompassed a wide range of fields, including human health, biology, materials science, and artificial intelligence, with contributions from 31 countries. Notably, Group Captain Shubhanshu Shukla, India’s second national astronaut to venture into space, played a pivotal role in several India-led experiments, including studies on space farming, microalgae for sustainable nutrition, and the effect of microgravity on skeletal and muscle degradation. His mission has been hailed as a significant stepping stone for India’s aspirations in human spaceflight, particularly in preparation for the Gaganyaan program.
The undocking sequence began with the crew suiting up and ingress into the Dragon capsule. The hatch between the spacecraft and the ISS’s Harmony module was closed and sealed at around 2:50 PM IST. Following a series of rigorous leak checks and system diagnostics by ground teams from Axiom Space, NASA, and SpaceX, “Grace” was cleared for departure. The autonomous undocking from the forward-facing port of the ISS was initially scheduled for 4:35 PM IST but occurred a few minutes later at 4:45 PM IST. Immediately after undocking, the Dragon spacecraft performed a series of carefully choreographed departure burns to gently maneuver away from the station and establish a new orbital trajectory for its return.
The journey back to Earth is expected to conclude with a splashdown off the coast of California on Tuesday, July 15, 2025, around 3:00 PM IST. Throughout their transit, ground teams will continuously monitor “Grace” and provide crucial “go, no-go” commands, particularly for the de-orbit burn, which is the most critical maneuver of the return. Weather conditions at the splashdown site will be a primary consideration to ensure the safety of both the crew and the recovery teams. Upon splashdown, recovery vessels will swiftly reach the capsule, conduct safety checks, and lift it onto a ship. The astronauts will then undergo initial medical evaluations before being transported to land for further assessments and rehabilitation, allowing their bodies to readjust to Earth’s gravity after their extended period in microgravity.
The Ax-4 mission has not only advanced scientific research but also served as a powerful testament to international collaboration in space exploration. The crew’s dedication and their engagement in outreach activities, including interviews and interactions with students, have inspired a new generation and further highlighted the boundless possibilities of human spaceflight. As the “Grace” capsule makes its final descent, the world watches, celebrating the achievements of these private astronauts and the new era of space exploration they represent.
