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A Poetic Goodbye: Axiom‑4 Crew Bids Farewell Aboard the ISS
In a resonant moment aboard the International Space Station, the multinational crew of Axiom Mission 4 (Ax‑4) gathered for a deeply symbolic farewell ceremony as they prepared for their undocking from the orbiting laboratory. Among them stood Group Captain Shubhanshu “Shux” Shukla, India’s first astronaut on the ISS and the second Indian ever in space—following in Rakesh Sharma’s 1984 footsteps.
Gathering Under Earth’s Window
The ceremony, livestreamed by NASA and Axiom Space, took place on Sunday evening around 7:20 PM IST (8:55 AM CT). It brought together the Ax‑4 crew—Commander Peggy Whitson (USA), Pilot Shukla (India), Mission Specialists Slawosz “Suave” Uznański‑Wiśniewski (Poland) and Tibor Kapu (Hungary)—alongside Expedition 73 members for a moment of unity and reflection.
Highlights included a shared meal that reflected their cultural diversity: rehydrated shrimp cocktails, fajitas, sweet bread cake, and—most memorably—Indian delicacies aam ras and gajar halwa contributed by Shukla. Astronaut Jonny Kim described it as “one of the most unforgettable evenings” in orbit.
Shubhanshu Shukla Honors Tricolour in ISS Farewell Before Heading Home
During his farewell speech, Shukla invoked the immortal words of Rakesh Sharma:
“Even today, Bharat looks ‘saare jahan se achchha’ from above.”
He continued:
“Aaj ka Bharat space se mahatvakanshi, nidar, confident, garv se poorn dikhta hai… aur abhi bhi saare jahan se achchha hai.”
Shukla emphasized that while his mission was concluding, India’s journey in human spaceflight is only beginning, assuring that “if we make a firm resolve, even the stars are attainable”. His remarks were candid and heartfelt, striking a chord with viewers on Earth.
Countdown: Undocking & Splashdown
Following the ceremony, final preparations commenced. The crew boarded the SpaceX Dragon spacecraft at 2:25 PM IST ahead of a planned undocking at 4:34 PM IST on July 14. After a sequence of orbital manoeuvres, a Pacific Ocean splashdown off the California coast is expected at approx. 3 PM IST on July 15.
Science in Orbit: Not Just a Farewell
Despite facing mission closure, the crew has been actively engaged in scientific experiments aboard ISS:
- Voyager Displays project, monitoring eye‑movement and coordination in microgravity.
- Voice in Space, assessing how vocal performance is altered in orbit.
- Acquired Equivalence Test, examining cognitive adaptation and learning in zero gravity.
- Musculoskeletal, microbial, plant growth, fruit fly DNA repair, and continuous glucose monitoring experiments—all contributing to long-term space research.
These studies not only aid global space science but also directly support India’s upcoming Gaganyaan mission, slated for 2027.
A Personal & National Resonance
Shukla’s presence on the ISS—an outcome of a Rs 550 crore investment by ISRO—has had profound implications. His mission aligns with India’s vision of independent human spaceflight, and the rich data gathered will refine crew training, life-support protocols, and mission logistics.
Back in Lucknow, his family prepared a grand homecoming. According to his mother, Asha Shukla, the family will welcome him with phool mala and band baja, preserving traditions as he brings home cosmic achievements.
Beyond the Farewell: Why It Matters
- Commercial Space Leap: Ax‑4 marks another milestone in commercial crewed missions, reinforcing the model of private–public collaboration—Axiom, SpaceX, NASA—profiling a sustainable approach beyond traditional state-only launches.
- Diplomatic Unity in Space: A cultural potluck aboard ISS signifies shared scientific and humanistic values among nations—a floating microcosm of global harmony.
- Opportunity for India: The mission’s success enriches Shukla’s experience and contributes practical lessons to Gaganyaan, preparing India to launch its own astronauts later this decade.
- Inspiring a Generation: Shukla’s speech, invoking patriotic and aspirational sentiment, arrives as a powerful reminder to younger generations: ambition paired with courage can transcend Earth.
What Lies Ahead
- Undocking Watch: July 14 at 4:34 PM IST—live streamed by NASA and Axiom Space.
- Splashdown & Return: July 15 around 3 PM IST in the Pacific.
- Rehabilitation: Post-landing, a 7‑day medical and physical recovery process will begin under NASA and ISRO protocols.
- Data & Debrief: Upon return, mission data—including 580 lb of cargo—alongside debriefs, will be integrated into ISRO and Axiom Space’s evaluation.
Final Words
As Ax‑4 closes its 17‑day orbit, it leaves behind not just science, but a narrative of global unity and individual ascent. When Shubhanshu Shukla praised India as “fearless, confident, ambitious” from space, he spoke for an entire nation watching upward and dreaming big.
This farewell marks a pause—not an endpoint—in humankind’s journey toward the stars. For Shukla and India, it’s both a culmination and a beginning.
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