In a landmark moment for India’s space exploration efforts, Prime Minister Narendra Modi announced the names of the four astronauts selected for the Gaganyaan mission, ISRO’s first manned spaceflight program. The announcement, made at the Vikram Sarabhai Space Centre in Thiruvananthapuram, Kerala, marks a significant milestone in the country’s space history. The chosen astronauts, Angad Prathap, Ajit Krishnan, Shubanshu Shukla, and Group Captain Prashanth Balakrishnan Nair, are seasoned test pilots with the Indian Air Force (IAF), bringing extensive experience and expertise to the mission.
These astronauts have undergone rigorous training, with their backgrounds and skills making them ideal candidates for the challenges of space. For instance, Prashanth Balakrishnan Nair, who joined the Air Force in 1999 after graduating with an engineering degree from NSS College in Palakkad, exemplifies the high caliber of the team members, all of whom hail from distinguished service in the IAF.
Their preparation for the Gaganyaan mission involved extensive training at ISRO’s astronaut training center in Bengaluru, following their selection from the IAF’s Institute of Aerospace Medicine. Although four astronauts have been trained, only three will ultimately participate in the mission, underscoring the rigorous selection process and the high standards set for India’s first crewed spaceflight.
The training program included a significant international component, with the astronauts spending February 2020 to March 2021 at the Yuri Gagarin Cosmonaut Training Centre in Russia. This was part of an agreement between ISRO and Glavkosmos, Roscosmos’s subsidiary, highlighting the global collaboration in India’s space endeavors.
Moreover, the international cooperation extends to NASA, with Administrator Bill Nelson announcing plans during a 2023 visit to Delhi for NASA to train an Indian astronaut for a mission to the International Space Station by the end of 2024. This astronaut is likely to be one of the four preparing for the Gaganyaan mission, showcasing the international support and interest in India’s space exploration capabilities. The Gaganyaan mission aims to send astronauts into a three-day orbit around Earth at an altitude of 400 kilometers, demonstrating India’s capacity for human spaceflight and marking a significant achievement in the country’s space exploration history. Upon completion, the mission will not only showcase India’s technological prowess but also its emerging role as a leader in the global space community.
