NASA retiree turned private astronaut Peggy Whitson splashed down safely in the Pacific early on Tuesday after her fifth trip to the International Space Station, joined by crewmates from India, Poland and Hungary returning from their countries' first ISS mission.

The International Space Station (ISS) is a cutting-edge, habitable satellite orbiting Earth, serving as a global research lab for science, technology, and space exploration.

During his time aboard the International Space Station, Group Captain Shubhanshu Shukla carried out seven India-specific microgravity experiments, highlighting the country's advancing expertise in space science and technology.

Shukla’s mission began with a launch from NASA’s Kennedy Space Center on July 1, as part of the privately operated Axiom Space Mission-4. His arrival at the ISS marked a national milestone — the second Indian in space since Rakesh Sharma’s 1984 mission, and the very first to reach the orbiting laboratory.

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. (AP) — The International Space Station’s first visitors from India, Poland and Hungary headed back to Earth on Monday, wrapping up a private mission and catching a ride home with SpaceX. Their capsule undocked from the orbiting lab and aimed for a splashdown the next morning in the Pacific off the Southern California coast.

It was Axiom's fourth mission to the space station, part of NASA's effort to open up space to more businesses and people.

The private crew included Ax-4 mission commander and former NASA astronaut Peggy Whitson. It was her fifth trip to space and extended her record-setting duration to 695 days, the most of any American.

Group Captain Shubhanshu Shukla returns to Earth after a historic 20-day mission to the International Space Station. Commended by Andhra Pradesh leaders, his journey marks a proud milestone for India,

The four private visitors to the International Space Station of the Axiom Space Ax-4 mission are set to head back to Earth riding home on the newest SpaceX Crew Dragon making its first return home.

CNN’s Wolf Blitzer talks with NASA astronauts Nichole Ayers and Anne McClain about their important mission on board the International Space Station.

India celebrates the homecoming of astronaut Shubhanshu Shukla after his 18-day mission at the International Space Station. The mission is a milestone for India's space exploration, inspiring aspirations in the country's future space endeavors.