Lucknow: Group Captain Shubhanshu Shukla, the first Indian aboard the International Space Station (ISS), shared an emotional Instagram post capturing the moment he reunited with his wife Kamna and six-year-old son Kiash in Houston after nearly two months of quarantine.

“Coming back to Earth and holding my family back in my arms felt like home,” he wrote, alongside photos of a warm family embrace. “Space flight is amazing but seeing your loved ones after a long time is equally amazing.”

Describing the difficulty of separation, he added, “It has been 2 months since I entered quarantine. During the quarantine family visits we had to be 8 m apart. My little one had to be told that he had germs on his hands and that is why he could not touch his father. Every time he would come for the visit he would ask his mom ‘Can I wash my hands?’ It was challenging.”

Urging others to cherish their loved ones, he wrote, “Find a loved one today and tell them that you love them. We often get busy in life and forget how important the people in our lives are. Human spaceflight missions are magical but they are made magical by the humans.”

Quiet joy for the family

Shubhanshu, fondly known as ‘Shuks’, returned to Earth on Tuesday after spending 18 days aboard the ISS. He is currently undergoing mandatory post-mission quarantine in Houston, where Kamna and Kiash are present. He will remain in isolation until July 23, although close family visits are permitted.

“Now that Shubhanshu has safely returned, our immediate focus will be on his rehabilitation and ensuring he smoothly readjusts to life on Earth,” Kamna said. “For us, simply being reunited after this incredible journey is a celebration in itself.”

She has already begun preparing his favourite dishes. “I am already preparing some of his favourite dishes, knowing how much he must have missed home-cooked meals during his time in space,” she said.

Voices from space

Kamna recalled the excitement of speaking to her husband during his mission. “Receiving his call from the International Space Station right after docking was an unexpected and wonderful surprise. Hearing his voice and knowing he was safe meant the world to me.”

She added, “Our conversations typically revolved around his daily activities, the unique experiments he conducted, and the extraordinary experiences he encountered, which were vastly different from life on Earth. These phone calls became the highlight of my day through 18 days.”

Celebrations grounded in simplicity

While the achievement has earned Shubhanshu national attention, the family remains focused on togetherness. Their home in Triveni Nagar, Lucknow, is decorated with posters, and relatives continue to receive messages of congratulations.

“While the nation celebrates his extraordinary accomplishment, our family will cherish quieter, personal moments of togetherness,” Kamna said. “These moments of joy, sharing familiar stories, laughter, and enjoying simple pleasures are our way of celebrating.”

“His homecoming marks a beautiful blend of personal happiness and national pride, and we are immensely grateful for all the support and warmth we've received from across the country.”

Managing distance with resilience

Reflecting on the emotional strain of separation, Kamna admitted the difficulty but said their years in the Air Force prepared them.

“Being separated is undoubtedly difficult and always brings an element of pain. However, our journey with the Air Force has taught us resilience and adaptability, making these separations easier to manage over time.”

She added, “In many ways, these moments of separation have only strengthened our bond, teaching us patience, understanding, and unwavering support for each other's dreams. Ultimately, we embrace the idea that anything truly valuable is never attained easily.”

“When you commit yourself to a mission or profession of such significance, you naturally learn to overcome the emotional challenges that come with distance,” she said.

A journey of transformation

The couple met as classmates in Class 3 at City Montessori School in Lucknow and married in 2009. Kamna reflected on how far Shubhanshu has come.

“Seeing him interact so confidently and joyfully with students from space filled me with immense pride and happiness,” she said.

“Witnessing his remarkable transformation from a shy young man into a dynamic and charismatic individual capable of inspiring countless young minds is incredibly moving. His journey demonstrates the incredible power of personal growth and resilience. His story deserves to be shared widely, and I am delighted to see him telling it eloquently and always with a genuine smile.”

Inspiring the next generation

At their alma mater, Shubhanshu has become a role model for aspiring students. Kamna believes his mission will have a lasting impact.

“I think this is absolutely fantastic,” she said. “The essence of Shubhanshu's mission was always about inspiring the younger generation to pursue STEM fields, to innovate, and to bring cutting-edge technology to India.”

“While the path to becoming an astronaut is challenging, it's incredibly rewarding. Those who choose this path will not only achieve personal fulfilment but also bring great honour and pride to our nation.”

Shubhanshu is also part of ISRO’s Gaganyaan mission—India’s first human spaceflight—set for launch in 2027.

With PTI inputs