Shubhanshu Shukla’s Emotional Homecoming

Indian astronaut Shubhanshu Shukla recently returned to Earth after an 18-day mission aboard the International Space Station (ISS). Upon his arrival, he was reunited with his wife, Kamna Shukla, and their six-year-old son, Kiash, in Houston, Texas. This marked the first time Shukla had seen his family in two months. In an Instagram post, he expressed the joy of reuniting with his loved ones, stating, “Coming back to Earth and holding my family back in my arms felt like home.” He emphasized the magical nature of human spaceflight missions, attributing their enchantment to the humans involved.

Family’s Focus on Rehabilitation and Routine

Kamna Shukla shared her thoughts on her husband’s return, highlighting the importance of his rehabilitation and smooth readjustment to life on Earth. She expressed her joy at being reunited after such an incredible journey, describing it as a celebration in itself. Kamna is already preparing to bring warmth and routine back into their family life by cooking some of Shubhanshu’s favorite dishes, acknowledging how much he must have missed home-cooked meals during his time in space.

Mission Details and Historic Achievements

Shubhanshu Shukla’s mission was part of the private Axiom-4 mission, where he served alongside commander Peggy Whitson and mission specialists Slawosz Uznanski-Wisniewski from Poland and Tibor Kapu from Hungary. The team returned to Earth after a 22-hour journey aboard SpaceX’s Dragon spacecraft. Shukla made history as the second Indian to travel to space after Rakesh Sharma’s 1984 mission and became the first Indian to spend 18 days on the ISS.

Personal Connections During the Mission

Kamna recounted a memorable moment when she received a call from the ISS right after docking. Hearing her husband’s voice and knowing he was safe brought immense relief. Their conversations often revolved around his daily activities, unique experiments, and extraordinary experiences in space, which were vastly different from life on Earth. These calls became a daily highlight for Kamna during Shubhanshu’s mission.

Future Prospects with ISRO’s Gaganyaan Mission

Looking ahead, Shubhanshu Shukla has been linked to ISRO’s Gaganyaan mission, India’s first crewed spaceflight scheduled for 2027. This potential involvement marks another significant milestone in his career as an astronaut.