However, the increasing privatization of space access raises questions about America's future role in space exploration. While another private company, SpaceX, currently provides the only means for launching astronauts from U.S. soil, Oluseyi emphasized the importance of maintaining both public and private investment in space.

Later, Gaganyatri Shubhanshu Shukla was flown to Houston for a week-long rehabilitation program to mitigate any adverse effect of microgravity. This is being administered by Axiom’s flight surgeon and ISRO’s flight surgeon is also participating in this program.

After spending 18 days on the International Space Station (ISS), during which he went around the Earth 288 times, Indian astronaut Shubhanshu Shukla and his colleagues on the Axiom-4 mission began their 22-hour return journey to Earth on Monday afternoon.

Group Captain Shubhanshu Shukla, an Indian Air Force officer and ISRO astronaut, has made a triumphant return to Earth, concluding a groundbreaking mission aboard the International Space Station (ISS).

The Union Cabinet, chaired by Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi, extended its heartfelt congratulations to Group Captain Shukla, commending his courage, dedication, and professionalism.

The Axiom-04 mission has successfully concluded with the return of ISRO Gaganyatri Shubhanshu Shukla, marking a proud moment both for ISRO and India as he returned after a historic 18-day scientific mission aboard the International Space Station (ISS).

Group Captain Shubhanshu Shukla begins his journey back to Earth as the SpaceX Crew Dragon undocks from the ISS, concluding the Axiom-4 mission after 18 days in orbit.

The Axiom-4 crew is to reach Earth onboard a SpaceX Dragon Spacecraft with a splashdown off the coast of California on Tuesday,3 PM (IST) after a 22.5-hour journey from the ISS.

The Axiom-4 mission, featuring IAF Group Captain Shubhanshu Shukla, is set to undock from the ISS. Shukla's life sciences and plantation experiments promise significant benefits globally, backed by Indian institutions.

“Dragon and the @Axiom_Space Ax-4 crew are on track to reenter Earth’s atmosphere and splash down off the coast of San Diego at ~2:31 a.m. PT tomorrow. Dragon will also announce its arrival with a brief sonic boom prior to splashing down in the Pacific Ocean,” SpaceX posted.