Shubhanshu Shukla's Space Splashdown: How It’s Different from Rakesh Sharma’s 1984 Landing

Why Shubhanshu Shukla Landed in the Sea and Not on Land Like Rakesh Sharma – Explained Simply?

India’s space journey just hit a new milestone with Group Captain Shubhanshu Shukla becoming the first Indian to live and work on the International Space Station (ISS). But something caught everyone's attention — he returned to Earth by splashing down in the ocean, not landing on land like Rakesh Sharma did back in 1984.

So, why this difference? Why does one Indian astronaut come down in the sea, while the other touched down on land?

Why Did Shubhanshu Shukla Land in the Sea?

On July 15, 2025, Shubhanshu Shukla returned from space aboard the SpaceX Crew Dragon capsule, part of the Axiom-4 private mission. His reentry was a controlled splashdown in the Pacific Ocean, near the U.S. coast.

Here’s why sea landing was the best choice:

1. Designed for Water Landings

The Crew Dragon spacecraft by SpaceX is specially built to land in the ocean. It has heat shields, parachutes, and a recovery team ready in ships and helicopters.

2. Safety First

Water acts like a cushion during landing. It reduces impact force, making it safer and more comfortable for astronauts after spending weeks in microgravity.

3. No Risk of Debris Falling Over Cities

Before landing, the capsule discards a section called the “trunk.” In sea landings, this debris falls into uninhabited ocean areas, reducing danger to people or buildings on the ground.

Why Did Rakesh Sharma Land on Land?

India’s first astronaut, Wing Commander Rakesh Sharma, flew to space in 1984 aboard a Russian Soyuz capsule. He returned by landing in the open plains of Kazakhstan, a method typical of Soviet/Russian missions.

Here’s why land landings worked for him:

✅ 1. Russian Technology = Land Landings

The Soyuz capsule was made to land on flat land with parachutes and retro rockets to slow it down just before touchdown.

✅ 2. Trained for Rough Landings

Sharma and other astronauts from that era were trained for tougher landings. He even mentioned in an interview that the landing was loud and bumpy — “like a car crash you know is coming.”

So, Which Landing Is Better: Sea or Land?

So, Which Landing Is Better: Sea or Land?

🇮🇳 What This Means for India’s Space Future

Shubhanshu Shukla’s return marks a new era for Indian space missions. His mission not only carried Indian experiments to the ISS but also tested modern landing systems and global partnerships.

This mission is a big step forward as India prepares for its own Gaganyaan crewed spaceflight, expected to launch soon with astronauts returning safely — either by land or sea. 

                                                  Jai Hind 🇮🇳