Indian space startup Astroborne Aerospace developing a private astronaut training facility in Navi Mumbai for space tourism. It could be Asia’s first private training facility and is set to commence operations in 2026. The facility will cater to private astronauts, government personnel, and space enthusiasts.
India’s Private Astronaut Training Facility
India’s upcoming facility, located on a 4-acre plot in Navi Mumbai, will dedicate 1.5 acres to a cutting-edge training center. The proposed facility aims to offer specialized training, incorporating modules such as hypoxia chambers, space suit acclimatization, G-Force exposure, and spacecraft ingress/egress simulations. Additionally, it will feature an onsite analog habitat for extended and hyper-realistic mission simulations, fostering advancements in aerospace education.
The aspiring astronaut program is designed as a month-long course, with commercial astronaut training extending over a more comprehensive duration. Government astronaut training, on the other hand, will span an even more extended period.
The startup has already established a partnership with the US astronaut training facility, Nastar Centre. While over 5,000 candidates from Asia apply for training in the US and Europe annually, only a limited number, typically 10-15, secure spots. Astroborne aims to address this gap by providing training opportunities for approximately 700 candidates each year. The trainers at Astroborne will undergo training and certification from Nastar, ensuring high-quality instruction in astronaut training.
More About Astroborne Aerospace
Astroborne Space & Defence Technologies, headquartered in Bengaluru, Karnataka, was established in 2022. Specializing in aerospace, defense, commercial spaceflight, astronaut training, space crew modules, spacesuits, and space colonization, the company is led by CEO and co-founder, Akshat Mohite. Additionally, Astroborne is registered with IN-SPACe (Indian National Space Promotion and Authorization Centre), the space regulator and promoter.
Astroborne is presently in the process of developing Airawat, India’s next-generation six-seater commercial space module. Specifically designed for suborbital space tourism missions, Airawat can ascend to altitudes of up to 400km. This pioneering module facilitates economical manned commercial spaceflight, marking the advent of a new era in accessible outer space exploration.
Disclaimer: This content is derived from a piece originally published by TOI and from my research.
Read more Indian Space startup building fuel station in Space!
Read more Chandrayaan 4: Unlocking Lunar Mysteries Beyond Soft Landing
