'Inspired A Billion Dreams': PM Modi Hails Shubhanshu Shukla After Axiom-4 's Dragon Capsule Splashes Down Off San Diego Coast

New Delhi: Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Tuesday hailed Indian astronaut Group Captain Shubhanshu Shukla after Dragon capsule of Axiom Mission-4 successfully returned to earth. PM Modi said that Group Captain Shukla has inspired a "billion dreams" through his dedication and courage.

"I join the nation in welcoming Group Captain Shubhanshu Shukla as he returns to Earth from his historic mission to Space. As India’s first astronaut to have visited International Space Station, he has inspired a billion dreams through his dedication, courage and pioneering spirit," the Prime Minister said in an X post.

He said that the Indian Air Force (IAF) pilots successful mission marks another milestone towards India's Human Space Flight Mission, 'Gaganyaan'.

Earlier in the day, Group Captain Shukla and other three members of Axion Mission- 4 returned to Earth after spending 18 days at the International Space Station (ISS). The Dragon spacecraft slashed down off the coast of San Diego.

Shukla is the first Indian the first Indian to visit the ISS. He has become the second India to travel to space after Squadron Leader Rakesh Sharma.

Shukla, along with fellow astronauts Peggy Whitson (USA), Slawosz Uznanski-Wisniewski (Poland), and Tibor Kapu (Hungary), boarded SpaceX’s Dragon spacecraft "Grace" at 3:30 a.m. CT (2 PM IST) on Monday. The crew returned to earth in approximately 22.5 hours from the ISS.

The crew also witnessed over 300 sunrises and sunsets from the orbital lab. Meanwhile, ISRO on Monday noted that astronaut Shukla has completed all seven microgravity experiments and other planned activities, "achieving a milestone in the mission".