Daijiworld Media Network - Houston/ New Delhi

Houston/ New Delhi, Jul 17: After spending 18 transformative days aboard the International Space Station (ISS), Indian astronaut Shubhanshu Shukla has finally returned to the warm embrace of his family.

Shukla, who etched his name in history as the first Indian to live aboard the ISS and only the second Indian to venture into space after Rakesh Sharma, reunited with his wife Kamna and their six-year-old son Kiash in Houston following his return to Earth. The moment was especially emotional, as it marked the first time in two months the family had seen each other in person.

“It was challenging. Coming back to Earth and holding my family back in my arms felt like home,” Shukla shared in a heartfelt Instagram post. “Human spaceflight missions are magical—but they are made magical by the humans.”

The astronaut was part of the four-member crew on the private Axiom-4 mission, which also included mission commander Peggy Whitson, and fellow specialists Slawosz Uznanski-Wisniewski (Poland) and Tibor Kapu (Hungary). The team concluded their mission with a 22-hour journey aboard SpaceX's Dragon spacecraft before splashing down safely back on Earth.

For Kamna, Shukla’s return was a mix of relief, joy, and anticipation. Speaking from Houston, she told PTI, “Now that Shubhanshu has safely returned, our immediate focus will be on his rehabilitation and ensuring he smoothly readjusts to life on Earth. But for us, simply being together again is a celebration in itself.”

She added that she was already bringing back a sense of normalcy to their lives. “I’m preparing his favourite dishes—after weeks of space food, he deserves the comfort of home-cooked meals.”

Reflecting on the emotional journey during the mission, Kamna recalled the surreal moment of receiving a call from the ISS just after Shukla docked. “It was a wonderful and unexpected surprise. Hearing his voice and knowing he was safe meant everything to me. Every call became the highlight of my day,” she said. Their conversations spanned everything from zero-gravity routines to the unique experiments he was conducting in orbit—experiences vastly different from their life back on Earth.

The couple shares a long and enduring bond, having met in Class 3 at City Montessori School in Lucknow and eventually marrying in 2009.

As Shukla readjusts to life on Earth, his journey into space may not be over. He is already being closely linked to ISRO’s ambitious Gaganyaan mission—India’s first crewed spaceflight, scheduled for 2027.

For now, though, Shukla’s next mission is far simpler: rest, recovery, and cherished time with the people who matter most.