Shukla’s mission began with a launch from NASA’s Kennedy Space Center on July 1, as part of the privately operated Axiom Space Mission-4. His arrival at the ISS marked a national milestone — the second Indian in space since Rakesh Sharma’s 1984 mission, and the very first to reach the orbiting laboratory.

Defence Minister Rajnath Singh hailed Shubhanshu Shukla's return from space, marking a milestone in India's space journey. Shukla's 20-day mission to the International Space Station was celebrated nationwide,