India etched a historic moment in space exploration as Group Captain Shubhanshu Shukla returned from an 18-day mission aboard the International Space Station (ISS). His splashdown in the Pacific Ocean near California was nothing short of cinematic.

India's astronaut Group Captain Shubhanshu Shukla emerged from the 'Grace' crew Dragon space capsule with a smile on his face, but as was expected he was assisted by attendants as he stood up and gingerly walked out.

The Cabinet hailed Shubhanshu Shukla for completing his 18-day mission aboard the International Space Station, stating that it marked the beginning of a new chapter in India's space programme