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.

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.

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.

Shukla’s return marks a proud chapter for India’s space ambitions, highlighting the country's growing role in global space exploration. His mission paves the way for greater international collaboration and future Indian spaceflight efforts.

“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.