Kolkata: The Axiom 4 mission has been launched from the Kennedy Space Centre’s Launch Complex 39A in Florida. Its pilot is ISRO Gaganyatri Shubhanshu Shukla and this is the first time an India is flying to the International Space Station. Before Shukla, Rakesh Sharma famously visited space and later, Gopichand Thotakura, a civilian astronaut repeated the feat by flying beyond the Karman Line.
Ahead of his journey to space, Shukla wrote an emotional note for his wife, Kamna. He took to Instagram and wrote, “As we plan to leave the planet early morning of 25 Jun, I wish to thank everyone who has been involved in this mission for their support and also to all the people back home for their blessings and love.”
He added, “Special thanks to Kamna for being the wonderful partner that you are. Without you, none of this was possible but more importantly none of this would matter.” Along with the caption, Shukla also shared a photograph showing the couple saying goodbye through opposite sides of a glass wall.
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The Times of India reported that Air Force Group Captain Shubhanshu Shukla met his wife Kamna at a primary school in Lucknow. Kamna said, “We have studied together since Class 3. We’ve been best friends. I’ve known him as Gunjan, as Shubhanshu, the shy guy in our classroom, who’s now inspiring so many people.” The couple has a six-year-old son.
Shubhanshu’s mother Asha Shukla also praised her daughter-in-law and said, “It is a moment of pride for us and everyone else. Posters are being put up everywhere. Everyone is delighted that a man from this country, this Triveni Nagar, is going to soar so high. We are sending all our wishes and blessings to him. He has all the support of our daughter-in-law. This could not have been possible without her. She has played the biggest role here.”
