CMS Alumnus Astronaut Shubhanshu Shukla Presents ‘The Second Orbit’ – A Journey Written in the Stars

Following his historic journey to the ISS as India’s first astronaut and becoming the first Lucknowite to receive the Ashoka Chakra, our distinguished alumnus Gaganyatri Shubhanshu Shukla ‘Shux’ returns home to share his journey from fighter pilot to astronaut through his new book, ‘The Second Orbit’—a story of dreams, doubt and determination.

CMS Alumnus Astronaut Shubhanshu Shukla ‘Shux’ presenting his book ‘The Second Orbit’ with his family at the 5th Gomti Book Festival in Lucknow organised by the National Book Trust (NBT), India, in collaboration with the Government of Uttar Pradesh.
CMS Alumnus Astronaut Shubhanshu Shukla ‘Shux’ presenting his book ‘The Second Orbit’ with his family at the 5th Gomti Book Festival in Lucknow organised by the National Book Trust (NBT), India, in collaboration with the Government of Uttar Pradesh.

From the classrooms of City Montessori School to the skies and, ultimately, the International Space Station, Group Captain Shubhanshu Shukla’s journey is one that fills the CMS family with immense pride. Now, as he returns to his hometown of Lucknow, Shubhanshu is taking his remarkable journey into yet another orbit—as an author.

At the ongoing 5th Gomti Book Festival in Lucknow, organised by the National Book Trust (NBT), India, in collaboration with the Government of Uttar Pradesh, Shubhanshu participated in an engaging panel discussion with social media personality Maroof Culmen. Interacting with students from schools and colleges across Lucknow, he spoke candidly about his experiences in space, his journey from fighter pilot to astronaut, and the lessons he learnt along the way.

The discussion also offered a glimpse into The Second Orbit, Shux’s new book, which looks beyond the spectacle of space travel to explore the deeply human story behind it—one shaped by self-doubt, setbacks, hope, discipline, determination, and lessons that make extraordinary achievements possible.

Group Captain Shubhanshu Shukla ‘Shux’ signs a copy of his book, ‘The Second Orbit’, accompanied by his wife, Dr Kamna Shukla, at the 5th Gomti Pustak Mela in Lucknow.
Group Captain Shubhanshu Shukla ‘Shux’ signs a copy of his book, ‘The Second Orbit’, accompanied by his wife, Dr Kamna Shukla, at the 5th Gomti Pustak Mela in Lucknow.

At the heart of the book is a powerful question:

“What if your dream wasn’t yours alone?”

Drawing from his own experience, Shux spoke about the responsibility of carrying not just personal ambition, but also the hopes of 1.4 billion people. His message to young dreamers was simple yet profound:

“If I can do it, so can you. Your mind is a brilliant thing. You need to train it to believe in the extraordinary.”

The same spirit resonates through his own words in The Second Orbit:

“The people who do great things are not necessarily different from you or me. They are people who dream, doubt, stumble, learn, and keep going. If they can do it, so can you.”

Students of City Montessori School, excited to meet their Space Hero ‘Shux’ at the Gomti Book Fair
Students of City Montessori School, excited to meet their Space Hero ‘Shux’ at the Gomti Book Fair

For the CMS family, Shubhanshu’s return to Lucknow as an astronaut, author and role model is a deeply special moment. We proudly congratulate our distinguished alumnus on his extraordinary achievements and on the launch of The Second Orbit.

His journey reminds us that before a dream becomes a destination, it must first become a belief—and sometimes, the most remarkable journey is the one that takes us beyond the limits we once placed on ourselves.

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