It is often said that space changes you. For Group Captain Shubhanshu Shukla, India’s first astronaut aboard the International Space Station (ISS) and the second Indian ever in space, this became a reality in the most unexpected ways. Upon returning to Earth, even a mobile phone suddenly felt heavy in his hand. And in a moment that now makes him smile, he admitted to once dropping his laptop because he thought it would float—just like it did in space.
A Milestone Mission: Axiom-4 and India’s “Second Orbit”
On June 25, 2025, the Axiom Mission 4 (Ax-4) lifted off from the Kennedy Space Center in Florida aboard a SpaceX Falcon 9. Shubhanshu Shukla, along with three other astronauts, spent 18 days aboard the ISS conducting experiments, technology demonstrations, and outreach activities. The crew returned to Earth on July 15, 2025, splashing down safely after a 20-day journey.
For India, this mission was historic. Shukla’s flight marked the nation’s return to human spaceflight after 41 years since Rakesh Sharma’s legendary mission in 1984. This time, as Shukla put it, it was not just a solitary leap but the beginning of India’s “second orbit”—an era where the country is ready not just to fly, but to lead in space exploration.
From Microgravity to Heavy Phone: Earth Felt Different
During a virtual press conference held weeks after the mission, Shukla shared what it was like to adjust back to gravity. The difference was striking.
“The minute I held the phone, I felt this was heavy,” he recalled. The same phone that he used effortlessly on Earth before space now felt weighty in his hands. Even simple actions like holding it to take a photo seemed unusual.
Such changes are a direct result of spending days in microgravity, where objects feel weightless and handling them requires no effort. Once back on Earth, the body needs time to readjust to carrying weight again.
The Floating Laptop Incident: A Comic Adjustment
One of Shukla’s most memorable readjustment moments happened at home. While sitting on his bed to do some work, he finished using his laptop, closed it, and placed it to his side—expecting it to float, just as it did aboard the ISS. Of course, it didn’t. The laptop slid off the bed and landed on the carpeted floor. Fortunately, it suffered no damage.
This simple yet telling incident highlighted how much space travel can rewire one’s instincts. After nearly three weeks in weightlessness, his brain had adapted so completely that even back on Earth, the habit persisted.
Mission Success and National Impact
Despite these humorous and challenging readjustments, the mission exceeded expectations. Shukla returned to Earth with valuable experience and data that will directly support India’s upcoming Gaganyaan human spaceflight program.
During the mission, he completed several specific assignments designed to benefit Indian space research. These included experiments on human physiology in microgravity, plant growth in space, and the behaviour of materials in low-Earth orbit. All these findings will help shape future long-duration missions.
Beyond the technical outcomes, Shukla sees the mission’s real achievement in the inspiration it generated. “Children have already started asking how they can become astronauts,” he said. For him, this spark of curiosity in young Indians is the most meaningful legacy of the flight.
A New Chapter in Indian Spaceflight
Shukla’s time in space also gave him moments of deep national pride. One such highlight was speaking to the Prime Minister of India from the ISS with the tricolour floating behind him. He described it as a moment that symbolised India’s return to the global space conversation—not as a spectator, but as an equal participant.
As part of the Ax-4 crew, he also had the opportunity to witness 16 sunrises and sunsets each day, conduct outreach activities with students, and test technologies that may one day be used on lunar and Mars missions.
Why This Mission Matters
The Axiom-4 mission was organised by a private space company in collaboration with international and national agencies, including India’s space program. It demonstrated how public-private partnerships can accelerate space exploration while giving nations like India a platform to showcase their capabilities.
For Shukla personally, it was a journey that blended science, diplomacy, and human experience. For India, it was a declaration of intent: the country is not just re-entering human spaceflight—it aims to be a leader in the field. From the thrill of floating in microgravity to the comic surprise of a fallen laptop, Shubhanshu Shukla’s journey captures the human side of space exploration. It is a reminder that beyond the complex machinery and scientific milestones, space travel is an intensely personal and transformative experience—one that changes how astronauts see the world, and how the world sees them.