“I’ve Known Him Since Class 3, Now the World Knows Him”: Wife of Indian Astronaut Shubhanshu Shukla Wins Hearts with Her Story of Strength

On Wednesday at 12:01 PM IST, the SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket launched from NASA’s Kennedy Space Center in Florida as part of the Axiom Mission 4.

“I’ve known him since Class 3, the shy boy in our classroom. Now, the world knows him.” These moving words from Kamna, wife of Indian Air Force Group Captain Shubhanshu Shukla, are winning hearts across the country as her husband makes history by becoming the first Indian to travel to the International Space Station (ISS) in a joint mission with NASA, ISRO and SpaceX.

On Wednesday at 12:01 PM IST, the SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket launched from NASA’s Kennedy Space Center in Florida as part of the Axiom Mission 4. The mission, coordinated by Axiom Space, marks the first time an Indian astronaut is participating in a commercial ISS mission under the US space collaboration framework. The Dragon spacecraft is scheduled to dock with the ISS around 4:30 PM IST on Thursday.

While the country celebrates Shubhanshu’s remarkable achievement, Kamna, his wife and friend since childhood, is being praised for her emotional strength, quiet sacrifices, and deep-rooted love that stood behind this moment.

According to The Times of India, Kamna said, “We’ve studied together since Class 3. I’ve known him as Gunjan, as Shubhanshu, the quiet one. And now, seeing him inspire so many, it fills my heart with pride.”

Shubhanshu, too, expressed his gratitude to her in a heartfelt Instagram post hours before liftoff, “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.”

He posted a photo of their tearful farewell through a glass wall, a symbol of love that even space can’t break.

A dentist by profession, Kamna shared how their journey has not been easy. “He missed so many moments in our son’s early childhood, and that was tough. But his determination never wavered. He is like Arjuna, focused, precise,” she said.

At home, Shubhanshu is a calm, disciplined man who loves reading, fitness, and goofing around with their six-year-old son. Kamna says what makes him truly unique is his ability to stay positive, even quoting Finding Nemo, “Just keep swimming,” no matter how hard things get.

Born and raised in Lucknow, Shubhanshu’s dream to serve the nation was sparked during the 1998 Kargil conflict. Without informing his family, he cleared the NDA exam and went on to graduate from the National Defence Academy in 2005 with a degree in Computer Science. He later trained as a fighter pilot and was commissioned into the Indian Air Force in 2006.

Shubhanshu also holds a Master’s degree in Aerospace Engineering from the Indian Institute of Science (IISc), Bengaluru. He has nearly 2,000 flying hours across various aircraft and was selected in 2019 for India’s upcoming Gaganyaan mission. His astronaut training has included programs in Russia and at India’s own facilities in Bengaluru.

As Group Captain Shubhanshu Shukla reaches for the stars, his story is equally one of love, friendship, and a woman whose quiet strength helped make history.

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