Lucknow: City Montessori School (CMS) is set to host a grand watch party, “VyomNite,” tomorrow, June 10, 2025, at 4:00 PM in the CMS Kanpur Road auditorium. The event will celebrate the historic spaceflight of Indian astronaut and CMS alumnus, Group Captain Shubhanshu Shukla, as part of the Axiom-4 (Ax-4) mission.
Rishi Khanna, Head of Communications at CMS, announced that the watch party will feature a live broadcast of Shubhanshu’s launch, with NASA/Axiom commentary displayed on a massive screen. Shubhanshu’s proud parents, family members, a large contingent of students, teachers, and prominent citizens of Lucknow are expected to attend and witness this inspiring moment.
The “VyomNite” event promises an immersive experience for attendees. In addition to the live launch broadcast, there will be a life-size replica of the International Space Station’s Cupola module, a “Defy Gravity” photo booth, and telescopic sky-viewing. The atmosphere will be further enhanced with space-themed music, art installations, and STEM kiosks. A major highlight will be a student-run Mission Control Centre, streaming real-time telemetry data. Students will also have the unique opportunity to interact directly with defense officers.
Group Captain Shubhanshu Shukla, an Indian Air Force officer, is scheduled to lift off aboard the SpaceX Falcon 9 from NASA’s Kennedy Space Center at 5:52 PM IST. As the pilot of the SpaceX Crew Dragon spacecraft, he will be accompanied by NASA astronaut Dr. Peggy Whitson and crewmembers from Poland and Hungary. The four-member team will spend 14 days aboard the International Space Station, conducting various research projects.
Shubhanshu, a Lucknow native, completed his entire schooling from Nursery to Class 12 at CMS Aliganj Campus before receiving training at the National Defence Academy (NDA). Notably, he is also among the first astronauts selected for India’s ambitious Gaganyaan mission. For those unable to attend in person, the entire “VyomNite” event will be live-streamed on the official CMS YouTube channel.
