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A formal farewell ceremony for the Axiom-4 crew, which includes Indian astronaut Shubhanshu Shukla, is scheduled to take place on Sunday evening (India time), marking the final hours of their historic mission aboard the International Space Station (ISS). The crew is expected to undock on Monday, with splashdown in the Pacific Ocean off the California coast later the same day.

The 18-day mission represents a significant milestone for India, as Shukla became the first Indian to visit the ISS and only the second Indian in space, following Rakesh Sharma, who flew as part of a Soviet space mission to the Salyut-7 station in 1984. Shukla served as pilot for the Axiom-4 mission, making history for India's expanding presence in human spaceflight.

.@NASA will provide live coverage of the undocking and departure of #Ax4 from the @Space_Station Monday, July 14.

Coverage will begin with hatch closing at 4:30am ET. The four-member astronaut crew is scheduled to undock around 7:05am. https://t.co/FCJVxXtGax

— NASA's Johnson Space Center (@NASA_Johnson) July 11, 2025

According to Axiom Space, the farewell ceremony will be broadcast live at 8:55 am CT (7:25 pm IST) on Sunday, ahead of the scheduled undocking at 7:05 am ET (4:35 pm IST) on Monday. NASA will provide live coverage of the crew’s departure from the ISS. There are currently 11 astronauts on board—seven from Expedition 73 and four from the Axiom-4 commercial mission. The Axiom-4 crew includes Commander Peggy Whitson, Pilot Shubhanshu 'Shux' Shukla, Mission Specialist Slawosz 'Suave' Uznanski-Wisniewski from Poland, and Hungarian astronaut Tibor Kapu.

As the mission neared its conclusion, the astronauts came together for a multi-national meal aboard the ISS, symbolising camaraderie and collaboration. US astronaut Jonny Kim shared a heartfelt message on social media, calling it one of the most “unforgettable evenings” of the mission. The menu featured dishes contributed by each astronaut, representing the cultural diversity of the crew.

 

One of the most unforgettable evenings I’ve experienced on this mission was sharing a meal with new friends, Ax-4, aboard the International @Space_Station.

We swapped stories and marveled at how people from diverse backgrounds and nations came together to represent humanity in… pic.twitter.com/hdzXxrwLaV

— Jonny Kim (@JonnyKimUSA) July 10, 2025

Also Read: Axiom-4 mission: Shubhanshu Shukla set to return on July 14

The astronauts enjoyed rehydrated shrimp cocktails and crackers as appetizers. The main course included chicken and beef fajitas, and dessert was a cake made from sweet bread, condensed milk, and walnuts. Shubhanshu Shukla brought aam ras (mango pulp) and gajar halwa (carrot dessert) to represent Indian cuisine, while Slawosz Uznanski offered Polish pierogi stuffed with cabbage and mushrooms.

Following splashdown, Shukla will undergo a week-long rehabilitation programme under the supervision of a flight surgeon, as his body readjusts to Earth’s gravity. The astronauts are expected to board the return spacecraft around 2:25 pm IST, don their space suits, and carry out pre-departure procedures before beginning their descent. The Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) reportedly paid approximately ₹550 crore for Shukla’s participation in the Axiom-4 mission, according to reports. His experience is expected to significantly contribute to ISRO’s preparations for its own human spaceflight programme, Gaganyaan, which is scheduled to launch in 2027.

 

Also Read: Axiom-4 crew to undock from ISS on July 14, land July 15