In a momentous revelation, Prime Minister Narendra Modi unveiled the names of the astronauts selected for India’s inaugural crewed space mission, Gaganyaan. During his visit to the Vikram Sarabhai Space Centre in Thiruvananthapuram, Kerala, PM Modi disclosed the lineup, comprising Prashanth Balakrishnan Nair, Group Captain Angad Prathap, Ajit Krishnan, and Shubanshu Shukla.
These accomplished individuals, holding ranks of either wing commanders or group captains in the Indian Air Force (IAF), bring a wealth of experience as test pilots. Their roles demand quick responses in challenging situations, ensuring they are well-equipped for the demands of space travel.
The selected astronauts have been undergoing rigorous training at the space agency’s astronaut training facility in Bengaluru, with the selection process conducted at the IAF’s Institute of Aerospace Medicine.
Highlighting international collaboration, ISRO partnered with Glavkosmos, a subsidiary of the Russian space agency Roscosmos, in June 2019 for astronaut training. The four astronauts further honed their skills at Russia’s Yuri Gagarin Cosmonaut Training Centre from February 2020 to March 2021.
In a noteworthy development, NASA administrator Bill Nelson announced plans to train an Indian astronaut for a mission to the International Space Station by the end of 2024.
The Gaganyaan mission aims to showcase India’s prowess in human spaceflight, propelling astronauts 400 kilometers above Earth for a 3-day mission. Following their journey, the astronauts will safely return, concluding their mission with a landing in the Indian sea waters. This milestone marks a historic leap forward for India in the realm of space exploration.
