New Delhi, February 27, 2024: Prime Minister Narendra Modi unveiled the identities of the four astronauts designated to embark on India’s inaugural crewed space mission, Gaganyaan, during his visit to the Vikram Sarabhai Space Centre in Thiruvananthapuram, Kerala today.
The chosen individuals are Prashanth Balakrishnan Nair, Group Captain Angad Prathap, Ajit Krishnan, and Shubanshu Shukla. Hailing from esteemed backgrounds within the Indian Air Force (IAF), with ranks ranging from Wing Commanders to Group Captains, these individuals bring with them a wealth of experience as seasoned test pilots, primed to navigate challenges with agility and expertise.
Undergoing rigorous training at the Indian Space Research Organisation’s (ISRO) astronaut training facility in Bengaluru, their selection process was conducted at the IAF’s Institute of Aerospace Medicine. Collaborating with Glavkosmos, a subsidiary of the Russian space agency Roscosmos, ISRO facilitated the comprehensive training of the astronauts, spanning from June 2019 to March 2021, at Russia’s Yuri Gagarin Cosmonaut Training Centre.
Furthermore, in a bid to expand international collaborations, the American space agency NASA has pledged to extend its expertise, offering training to an Indian astronaut for a mission to the International Space Station slated for completion by the conclusion of 2024. This initiative aligns with earlier reports indicating that one among the quartet preparing for the Gaganyaan mission would likely be chosen for this endeavour.
Prime Minister on behalf of the 140 Crore Indians gave best wishes for the successful Gaganyaan mission that itself symbolizes India’s monumental leap in human spaceflight, set to showcase its prowess by propelling astronauts to an orbit 400 kilometres above Earth for a transformative three-day mission.
With meticulous planning ensuring their safety, the return journey will culminate with a safe landing in the Indian sea waters, marking a historic milestone in India’s space exploration journey.