First Indian astronaut to visit ISS returns to Earth

Astronaut Shubhanshu Shukla, who is the first Indian ever to set foot on the International Space Station (ISS), has returned to Earth.

He is the second Indian who has gone to space after Rakesh Sharma in 1984.

Shubhanshu Shukla, first Indian astronaut to go to ISS, returns to Earth

India is set to launch its first crewed mission in 2027 in the Gaganyaan human flight Mission, and Captain Shukla has been selected to pilot it.

His present assignment as a pilot in the Axiom-4 (Ax-4) mission is to gain operational experience which will be useful in the Gaganyaan Mission.

ISRO has paid 59 million dollars for his training and operational expenses.

India has ambitious plans to set its own space stations as well as habitats and bases on the moon , mars and other planets and satellites.

Habitats outside the earth can enhance the survival potential of the human species in the event of a asteroid strike or a global nuclear holocaust due to incompetent international leadership.

So establishing living and sustainable habitats outside the earth is a strategic objective of ISRO.