International Space Station

January 21, 2026 10:06 AM

Sunita Williams retires from NASA after 27 years, three missions and record 608 days in space

Sunita Williams, one of the most accomplished astronauts in the history of human spaceflight, has retired from the American space agency NASA after an extraordinary 27-year career. Her retirement follows a historic and unexpected nine-month mission aboard the International Space Station (ISS), marking the conclusion of a journey defined by endurance, leadership, and scientific excellence. According to a statement by NASA, Sunita Williams retired from the agency, effective December 27, 2025. �...

September 9, 2025 1:24 PM

Spaceflight accelerates the aging of human blood-forming stem cells

New research has identified yet another way that spaceflight tampers with the human body. A study involving samples flown on four SpaceX resupply missions to the International Space Station has revealed that space travel accelerates the aging of blood-forming stem cells crucial for blood and immune system health. The scientists in the NASA-funded study conducted real-time monitoring of stem cells from the bone marrow of individual donors to track the changes that unfolded during missions lastin...

August 25, 2025 10:07 AM

Shubhanshu Shukla arrives in Lucknow to a hero’s welcome

Family members of Indian Air Force (IAF) Group Captain Shubhanshu Shukla, along with people from across Uttar Pradesh, gathered at Lucknow Airport on Monday to welcome the astronaut after his historic mission to the International Space Station (ISS). Shukla was received by Uttar Pradesh Deputy Chief Minister Brajesh Pathak and state BJP president Bhupendra Singh Chaudhary. Speaking to reporters, Chaudhary said, "Under the leadership of PM Modi, India has achieved new heights in the field of sp...

August 18, 2025 4:23 PM

Lok Sabha adjourned amid uproar during debate on astronaut Shubhanshu Shukla’s ISS mission

The Lok Sabha was adjourned on Monday following a special discussion on Commander Shubhanshu Shukla’s recent mission to the International Space Station (ISS). The session witnessed protests from opposition parties over the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) in Bihar and allegations concerning the Election Commission. Amid continued disruptions, the House was adjourned and will reconvene on August 19 at 11 am. Union Minister of State (Independent Charge) for Science and Technology, Jitendra Sin...

July 16, 2025 4:13 PM

Beacon of inspiration: Union Cabinet hails Shubhanshu Shukla’s return from ISS

The Union Cabinet, chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, on Wednesday passed a resolution celebrating the safe return of Group Captain Shubhanshu Shukla from the International Space Station (ISS), calling it “a moment of pride, glory, and joy for the entire nation.” Shukla, part of the four-member Axiom-4 crew, returned to Earth on Tuesday aboard SpaceX’s Dragon capsule after spending 18 days in orbit. With this mission, Shukla became the first Indian astronaut to visit the ISS and onl...

July 15, 2025 2:40 PM

Astronaut Shubhanshu Shukla’s space mission will boost India’s Gaganyaan project: ISRO

Indian astronaut Shubhanshu Shukla's space mission will play a crucial role in India's first manned spaceflight under the Gaganyaan programme, the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) said on Monday. Shukla became the first Indian in 41 years to travel to space where he undertook scientific experiments aboard the International Space Station (ISS). "This has been an unforgettable experience for him (Shubhanshu Shukla). He carried out multiple experiments aboard the Space Shuttle and the Int...

July 15, 2025 2:01 PM

Shubhanshu Shukla’s parents excited ahead of Dragon spacecraft splashdown

As the SpaceX Dragon spacecraft prepares for splashdown, excitement and happiness run high in the family of Group Captain Shubhanshu Shukla - the first Indian astronaut to visit the International Space Station (ISS) as part of the Axiom-4 (Ax-4) mission. Speaking to ANI, his mother, Asha Shukla said. “We are very excited... When we saw the undocking, we knew he was on his way home. We are waiting eagerly for our son. He will reach by evening. We prayed for his well-being, visited the temple, ...

July 15, 2025 10:56 AM

Shubhanshu Shukla set to return to Earth today with a splashdown off the California coast

Group Captain Shubhanshu Shukla, the first Indian to reach the International Space Station (ISS), is set to return to Earth on Tuesday, marking the end of a historic mission under Axiom Space’s Ax-4 program. After an extraordinary 18-day stay aboard the orbital laboratory, Shukla and his three international crewmates are scheduled to splash down in the Pacific Ocean off the coast of California at 3:01 p.m. IST (4:31 AM CT). Shukla, along with fellow astronauts Peggy Whitson (USA), Slawosz Uz...

July 13, 2025 10:50 AM

Axiom-4 splash down on July 15 at 3 pm: Jitendra Singh on Shubhanshu Shukla’s return

Union Minister Jitendra Singh on Sunday shared an update on the Axiom-4 International Space Station (ISS) Mission and said that the astronauts are expected to splash down on Earth on July 15 at 3:00 p.m. (Indian time). Indian astronaut Shubhanshu Shukla, currently on board the ISS, along with three other crew members - Peggy Whitson, Sławosz Uznanski-Wisniewski, and Tibor Kapu - will undock inside the SpaceX Dragon spacecraft from the Harmony module's space-facing port for a return to Earth. ...

July 11, 2025 11:27 AM

Shubhanshu Shukla and Axiom-4 crew to begin journey back to Earth on July 14: NASA

Indian astronaut Shubhanshu Shukla, who is currently aboard the International Space Station (ISS), is expected to begin his journey back to Earth on July 14, Axiom Space announced on Friday. Shukla, along with three other crew members — Peggy Whitson, Sławosz Uznański-Wiśniewski, and Tibor Kapu — will undock from the Harmony module’s space-facing port inside the SpaceX Dragon spacecraft for their return to Earth. “The #Ax4 crew is scheduled to undock from the @Space_Station no earli...