ISRO unveiled 4 Gaganyaan astronauts for the Indian Human Space Flight Mission aka Gaganyaan mission. ISRO in collaboration with the Indian Air Force selected the 4 astronauts. Gaganyaan mission is the mission of ISRO to send 3 Indian astronauts into orbit of 400 km for 3 days and bring them safely to Earth. This mission is expected to launch in 2025.
There is an expectation that one of these astronauts will participate in a SpaceX mission to the International Space Station (ISS) in 2024. Additionally, future Gaganyaan Mission 2 plans include the inclusion of female astronauts in space exploration.
Gaganyaan Astronauts
All four astronauts (Vyomnauts) are Group Captain Prashanth Balakrishnan Nair, Group Captain Ajit Krishnan, Group Captain Angad Pratap, and Wing Commander Shubhanshu Shukla. It is expected that Group Captain Prashanth Balakrishnan Nair lead the Gaganyaan Mission. The National Crew Selection Board recommended these four test pilots following their successful completion of clinical, aeromedical, and psychological assessments.
The selected Indian astronauts underwent training at the Gagarin Cosmonaut Training Center (GCTC) in Russia for approximately 13 months. This comprehensive training covered various aspects of space missions, including aerobic flight, survival training in off-nominal conditions such as snow, desert, and water landings, as well as exposure to extreme environmental pressures.
Upon their return from Russia, these astronauts continued their training at a newly established facility in India, utilizing the Gaganyaan Crew Training Simulator, cutting-edge virtual reality tools, and maintaining physical fitness through rigorous training, including Yoga.
It Indian Astronaut Logo called “Antriksh Yatri Pankh or Space Traveler Wings” was awarded to these four astronauts by Prime Minister of India Narendra Modi.
Read more about Group Captain Prashanth Balakrishnan Nair
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