The Axiom-4 mission, which marked India's return to human spaceflight after four decades, finally returned to Earth. (Pics/PTI)
As soon as the Dragon spacecraft landed in US waters, Whitson was the first to exit the spacecraft, and a smiling Shukla followed a few minutes later.
The Dragon spacecraft landed on Earth’s surface at around 3:00 pm IST on Tuesday in San Diego, California.
After undocking, the Dragon spacecraft conducted a series of engine burns to securely separate from the ISS and commence re-entry procedures.
The final preparations included disconnecting the capsule's trunk and positioning the heat shield for atmospheric entry, which exposed the spacecraft to temperatures approaching 1,600 degrees Celsius.
Soon after the spacecraft went through atmospheric entry, parachutes were deployed in two stages.
The Axiom-4 mission marked the return to space for India. With this feat, Shubhanshu Shukla has become the only Indian to successfully go to the International Space Station.
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