Indian astronaut Group Captain Shubhanshu Shukla returned safely to Earth on Tuesday, marking the successful conclusion of a groundbreaking mission to the International Space Station (ISS), the first by an Indian national.

Shukla was part of the four-member Axiom-4 crew aboard SpaceX’s Dragon capsule Grace, which splashed down in the Pacific Ocean off the coast of California at approximately 3:01 pm IST. The capsule’s safe landing followed a fiery reentry and a 22-hour return journey from orbit.

“Splashdown of Dragon confirmed – welcome back to Earth, AstroPeggy, Shux, astro_slawosz, and Tibi!” SpaceX posted on X.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi hailed Shukla’s mission as a historic milestone.

“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. It marks another milestone towards our own Human Space Flight Mission – Gaganyaan,” PM Modi said in a post on X