Indian Astronaut Shubhanshu Shukla Receives Hero’s Welcome in Delhi After Landmark Space Mission

In a “moment of national pride,” Indian astronaut Shubhanshu Shukla received a hero’s welcome upon his arrival at Delhi’s Indira Gandhi International (IGI) Airport on Sunday morning. Shukla, who returned to Earth on July 15 after successfully completing NASA’s Axiom-4 (AX-4) space mission, was greeted by a host of dignitaries, including Union Minister of State for Science and Technology Jitendra Singh and Delhi Chief Minister Rekha Gupta.

Leading the reception, Union Minister Jitendra Singh hailed Shukla’s return as a “proud moment for India” and the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO). He lauded the astronaut as an “iconic son of Mother India” and emphasized that his achievement is a significant milestone that paves the way for future Indian space missions, including the ambitious Gaganyaan program. Singh highlighted the collaborative nature of the mission and underscored India’s commitment to advancing its capabilities in space exploration.

“A moment of pride for India! A moment of glory for #ISRO! A moment of gratitude to the dispensation that facilitated this under the leadership of PM @narendramodi. India’s Space glory touches the Indian soil… as the iconic son of Mother India, #Gaganyatri Shubhanshu Shukla…,” Singh posted on X, sharing visuals of the warm welcome.

The welcome party also included Shukla’s family, with his wife and son visibly emotional as they were reunited with him after his month-long journey aboard the International Space Station (ISS). The Axiom-4 mission was a commercial spaceflight during which Shukla and his international crewmates conducted a series of scientific experiments and research activities.

Shukla’s participation in this mission is seen as a crucial step for India’s burgeoning human spaceflight program, reflecting the country’s growing collaboration with international partners. Following his return, he is expected to undergo a series of medical checks and debriefings before sharing his experiences with the public.