Attend the Grand Felicitation
THE SHUX STORY
From a CMS Classroom to the International Space Station
The extraordinary journey of a boy from Lucknow who sat in a CMS classroom, dreamed of the stars, and reached them.
Group Captain Shubhanshu Shukla — known to the world and loved by Lucknow as Shux — is not just India’s space hero; he is our own. An alumnus of CMS Aliganj Campus I, who walked the same corridors and grew under the same Jai Jagat sky as today’s 64,500 CMS students.
In 2025, Shux made history as the Pilot of Axiom Mission 4 (AX-4) to the International Space Station, becoming India’s 2nd Human in Space after Wing Commander Rakesh Sharma (1984), and the first Indian astronaut to set foot aboard the ISS. On the AX-4 mission, 60 scientific experiments were completed in microgravity, from tardigrade resilience studies and seed germination in orbit to medical research on muscle degeneration and cellular regeneration, advancing humanity’s shared knowledge for life on Earth and in space.
From 400 kilometres above the Earth, Shux looked down and said the three words that a billion Indians held in their hearts: “Namaste from Space.” And then, with the perspective of someone who had seen the whole world at once—
“ …the first thought that came to mind was that the Earth looks absolutely One — no boundary line, no border is visible from outside… the feeling of oneness of the Earth… we all are a part of humanity and the Earth is our home and all of us are its citizens. ”
— Group Captain Shubhanshu Shukla · from the International Space Station · June 2025
Milestones Attained
2nd
Indian in Space after Rakesh Sharma (1984)
1st
Indian Astronaut aboard the International Space Station (ISS)
60
Scientific Experiments completed on the AX-4 Mission
1st
Ashoka Chakra Awardee of Lucknow (Republic Day 2026)
National Honour · Republic Day 2026
A Moment That Belongs to Lucknow
Ashoka Chakra · India's Highest Peacetime Gallantry Award
When Shux stood at Kartavya Path on 26 January 2026, receiving the Ashoka Chakra from the President of India, it was not the moment of one man alone — it was the moment of every student who ever sat in a CMS classroom and dared to dream beyond the ordinary.
His honour belongs to CMS, to Lucknow, to Uttar Pradesh, and to every Indian who looked up at the night sky and imagined what might be possible. Space Fest 2026 is how 64,500 students say, “We see you, Shux — and we will follow.”
The context of the honour — India’s growing role in international human spaceflight, ISRO’s strategic vision for the Gaganyaan programme, and the symbolic power of a Lucknow boy carrying the nation’s tricolour to the International Space Station — makes this moment one of the defining achievements in post-independence India’s scientific story.
From CMS to the Ashoka Chakra — A Timeline of Honour
CMS 1990-2002
IAF Career 2006 onwards
ISRO 2024
ISS 2025
Jan 2026
Prime Minister
Shri Narendra Modi
"I join the nation in welcoming Group Captain Shubhanshu Shukla as he returns to Earth from his historic mission to Space... He has inspired a billion dreams.”
Defence Minister
Shri Rajnath Singh
“Group Captain Shubhanshu Shukla’s successful return from the historic Axiom-4 mission is a proud moment for every Indian. He has not just touched Space, he has lifted India’s aspirations to new heights.”
U.P. Chief Minister
Shri Yogi Adityanath Ji
"Your achievement is a proud symbol of courage, dedication, and commitment to science. Today, every Indian, especially those from Uttar Pradesh, feels proud.”
Union Minister (2025)
Dr Jitendra Singh
"One of Mother India's illustrious sons is back. India has found a lasting space in the world of Space... a reflection of India's role as a trusted partner.”
Student’s Corner
Your Mission Starts Here
Games, questions, galleries, and innovation — everything a CMS space explorer needs to be part of Space Fest 2026 is here. This is your space. Use it.
Space Facts — Curated Science Content
(for All Grades)
Create
Student Artwork Gallery
(For Classes 3–12)
Innovate
Innovation Project Showcase
(For Classes 6–12)
Play
Space Hunt — ‘Check Space Game’
(For Classes 5–12)
Ask Shux · All Students
‘Post 10 Questions for Shux’ — Daily Life & Space
What Would You Ask India’s Astronaut?
Students across all 22 CMS campuses are already submitting their questions for Shux. The campaign is live. Your voice matters. The 10 most-voted questions get asked live on stage at WUCC on 15 April — by a student representative, to India’s astronaut, in front of 64,500 students.
- What did you eat in space? Did any food from Lucknow make it to the ISS?
- What was the first thing you thought about when you looked at Lucknow from space?
- Were you scared on launch day — and how did you prepare your mind?
- What was the hardest experiment you conducted on the ISS?
- What is your message to a Class 8 student who wants to become an astronaut?
- How did your years at CMS Lucknow prepare you for something as enormous as space?
- What does it feel like to float for the first time? Did it ever stop feeling magical?
- Is there a single moment from the ISS that you still think about every day?
Ask your Question
Vyomotsav 2025 · The CMS Space Fest History
Building on the Legacy of Vyomotsav 2025
Space Festival 2026 builds on the incredible foundation of Vyomotsav 2025 — CMS’s landmark first Space Fest, which celebrated Shux’s historic Axiom Mission 4 flight and his “Namaste from Space” moment that moved a billion Indians.
Vyomotsav 2025 saw 64,500 CMS students across 22 campuses participate in space-themed activities, creative competitions, science exhibitions, and the school’s Grand Homecoming Celebration for Shux — including the legendary Victory Parade through Lucknow in August 2025, received by the Deputy Chief Minister of Uttar Pradesh and cheered by thousands of citizens lining the streets.
Space Festival 2026 takes that momentum further — adding the Ashoka Chakra felicitation, the high-level panel discussion, and the ‘Shux — My Space Hero’ student tribute campaign to create India’s most impactful school-led space celebration.
- Grand Homecoming Celebration — Shux welcomed home to Lucknow, August 2025, received by Deputy CM Brajesh Pathak
- Victory Parade through the streets of Lucknow — thousands of citizens and students cheering the son of Lucknow
- 64,500 students across 22 campuses in science, art, and creative space activities
- Six Vyomotsav competitions: CosmoCraft, Nebula Notes, Astral Vision, Cosmic Verses, Galactic Harmonies, Starbound Stories
- ShuxYaan game, Know CosMoS quiz, and student artwork gallery — thousands of entries received from all campuses