Indian astronaut Group Captain Shubhanshu Shukla has returned from an 18-day mission aboard the International Space Station (ISS).
Part of the Axiom-4 mission in partnership with ISRO, he conducted 7 critical scientific experiments in microgravity.

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• Mission aimed at improving future long-duration spaceflight
• Studied muscle atrophy to improve astronaut health on long missions like Mars
• Tested wheat and rice seed germination for future space farming
• Researched tardigrades’ resilience to understand DNA protection in space
• Observed microalgae growth for oxygen and food generation in orbit
• Examined cyanobacteria photosynthesis for oxygen production on Mars-like planets
• Studied bacterial biofilms on spacecraft materials to prevent bio-corrosion
• Conducted protein crystal growth for improved drug development in microgravity
• Shukla undocked from ISS on July 14 at 4:35 PM IST aboard SpaceX Dragon capsule
• Splashdown expected near California coast on July 15 around 3:00 PM IST
• Recovery and medical rehabilitation to follow over 7 days