Shubhanshu Shukla to splashdown today: All eyes on fiery re-entry into Earth

Indian astronaut Group Captain Shubhanshu Shukla is scheduled to make a significant return to Earth on Tuesday, as he and his Axiom-4 (Ax-4) colleagues gear up for a dramatic splashdown in the Pacific Ocean near California’s coastline.

Following an 18-day mission on the International Space Station (ISS), Shukla’s return will reach one of the most crucial and demanding stages of space travel: atmospheric re-entry. The SpaceX Dragon spacecraft transporting Shukla and the multinational Ax-4 crew undocked from the ISS at 4:30 pm IST on Monday, initiating a carefully orchestrated 22-hour journey back.

The capsule will circle Earth multiple times, progressively positioning itself for the exact deorbit burn necessary to aim for the specified splashdown area. The timing of this action is essential, as it guarantees the spacecraft approaches Earth’s atmosphere at the proper angle and position for a secure landing.

Re-entry is commonly seen as the most dangerous phase of any space mission. While the Dragon capsule descends into the atmosphere at speeds surpassing 27,000 km/h, it will face significant friction, leading its heat shield to withstand temperatures reaching 1,600C.

The crew will face a communications blackout for several minutes, heightening the anxiety as Mission Control and families anticipate confirmation of a successful traversal through the blazing descent. The communication outage results from plasma accumulation on the spacecraft, as friction creates a barrier between the system and ground control.

After passing through the atmosphere, multiple parachutes will open to reduce the capsule’s speed, leading to a soft landing in the Pacific. Recovery teams, comprised of ships and helicopters, will be prepared to promptly collect the crew and take them to a medical center for urgent assessment.

While on the ISS, Shukla participated in more than 60 scientific experiments, encompassing groundbreaking studies in plant biology, materials science, and artificial intelligence. His efforts, notably the Sprouts Project focusing on plant growth in microgravity, are anticipated to significantly influence future space exploration as well as scientific research on Earth.

Shukla’s comeback signifies a proud occasion for India, as the country commemorates its expanding involvement in global space exploration. With the world observing, everyone focuses on the concluding, tension-filled moments of his mission—highlighting the risks and victories of human space exploration.