Harbor Island, Melbourne Beach (Florida): As countdowns begin and engines prepare to roar, all eyes are on Group Captain Shubhanshu Shukla, the Indian Air Force officer who is set to launch into space aboard Axiom Mission 4 (Ax-4) on June 10. But while India waits with pride and anticipation, one woman in Florida holds a quieter, more personal space in this cosmic journey: his wife, Kamna Shukla.
In an emotional and exclusive interaction with The Times of India, Kamna offered a rare glimpse into the world behind the uniform—the world of quiet sacrifices, enduring friendships, and a love story that has grown alongside duty and discipline.
A Journey Decades in the Making
It’s not every day that a test pilot and military officer transitions from flying fighter jets to orbiting the Earth. But for Kamna, the seeds of this dream were planted years ago—long before the mission became official, and even before spaceflight was on the radar.
“We’ve known each other since childhood,” Kamna shared. “We’ve grown up together, shaped by the same values, the same dreams, and yes, the same sense of duty.”
She recalls 2020 vividly, the year when whispers of India’s ambitious Gaganyaan human spaceflight programme became tangible. “When the criteria were announced, we learned that only test pilots could be selected. And in such a small, close-knit community, we knew whoever would make it, we’d likely know them personally. That was the first spark,” she said.
And that spark? It became a blazing flame.
From Fighter Pilot to Astronaut
Group Captain Shubhanshu Shukla is no stranger to high-stakes missions. As a decorated Indian Air Force test pilot, he has flown some of the most complex aircraft in the military’s arsenal. But his upcoming two-week stay aboard the International Space Station (ISS) marks a historic leap—not just for his career, but for India’s growing footprint in the space sector.
Ax-4, being operated by private firm Axiom Space, is part of a new generation of low-Earth orbit missions that bridge government and commercial spaceflight. While this isn’t a Gaganyaan mission per se, it builds critical experience and prestige for Indian astronauts in a global context.
“For me, he’s always been ‘Shux’, not the astronaut or the pilot,” Kamna said with a warm laugh. “But yes, I do understand what this moment means—for him, for India, and for our children.”
The Weight of the Stars
Sending a loved one into space is not like any other assignment. There are no weekends off. No quick calls. No possibility of turning back. For Kamna, the mission comes with equal parts pride and anxiety.
“Of course I’m nervous,” she admitted. “But more than anything, I’m proud. I know the training he has undergone. I know his discipline. And I know that for him, doing this well—doing his duty to the best—is his way of loving his country, his family, and his people.”
Her message to him is simple, but powerful:
“As you go on this incredible journey, I am extremely proud of you. You’re not just reaching for the stars, you are inspiring so many of us back home. Just shine bright and do your duty to your best, as you always do.”
Raising a Family Around a Dream
It’s easy to see spaceflight as a solo achievement. But behind every astronaut stands a family who carries the emotional weight of the mission.
For Kamna, that means holding down the fort at home, answering curious questions from children, and building a life rooted in resilience. “Our kids are still wrapping their heads around the fact that Papa is going to space. But they’re so proud. They’re excited. And they’re already telling their friends,” she said, smiling.
She added that the community around them has been supportive and close-knit. “Everyone knows what this moment means. We’re like one big extended family cheering for one of our own.”
An Indian Inspiration on a Global Stage
While this is not India's first brush with space travel—Rakesh Sharma made history in 1984—the current moment feels different. It is modern, multinational, and multilayered, reflective of a world where astronauts represent not just nations, but ideas, partnerships, and possibilities.
“Shux is not going alone. He’s carrying with him the hopes of millions. Young engineers, curious schoolchildren, every girl or boy in a science classroom dreaming of the stars,” Kamna said.
She believes this mission will inspire a new generation of Indians to view space not as distant or elite, but as achievable. “It’s about showing that with discipline, humility, and hard work, even the stars are within reach.”
Looking Ahead—And Beyond
When the rocket lifts off from NASA’s Kennedy Space Center on June 10, Kamna will be there with her children, eyes turned skyward, heart full.
She knows there’s still much more to come—the mission itself, the experiments in space, the return to Earth, and perhaps, the next stage in India's space programme.
But for now, she’s focused on the moment. “All I want is for him to come back safe. That’s all.”
Conclusion: A Love Story Written in the Sky
In a world where fame often outshines foundation, Kamna Shukla’s story reminds us that behind every great man in uniform is a quiet strength, a steady voice, a partner who dreams just as big—only more silently.
As Group Captain Shubhanshu Shukla heads toward the cosmos, it’s not just an astronaut India is sending. It’s a father, a friend, a husband—and a living reminder that even the boldest missions are built on bonds forged in everyday love and trust.
For Kamna, space is not a final frontier. It’s just another chapter in a story she’s been writing, hand-in-hand with her “Shux”, since the very beginning.
0 Comments