Thiruvananthapuram: Today (February 27), Prime Minister Narendra Modi, who is currently on his third visit to Kerala in two months, announced the names of the four astronauts chosen for India’s ground-breaking Gaganyaan mission. At Thiruvananthapuram’s Vikram Sarabhai Space Centre (VSSC), he formally presented the selected quartet.At VSSC, PM Modi met with the astronaut-designates for the Gaganyaan Mission, Wing Commander S Shukla, Group Captain Ajit Krishnan, Group Captain Angad Pratap, and Group Captain Prasanth Balakrishnan Nair.
These individuals have undergone rigorous training at Bengaluru’s astronaut training facility, marking a significant milestone in India’s space exploration journey.
#WATCH | PM @narendramodi reviews the progress of #Gaganyaan Mission and bestows astronaut wings to the astronaut designates🚀👨🚀
The Gaganyaan Mission is India's first human space flight program for which extensive preparations are underway at various #ISRO centres.@isro… pic.twitter.com/P25ULvzWfH
— DD News (@DDNewslive) February 27, 2024
These astronauts were chosen through a rigorous process that began with a large number of applicants and ended with the selection of 12 test pilots following preliminary assessments at the Indian Air Force’s (IAF) Institute of Aerospace Medicine (IAM) in Bengaluru. Following multiple rounds of assessments, IAM and ISRO shortlisted the final four candidates for the prestigious mission.
Speaking on the occasion, PM Modi said that today’s generation is lucky to witness the biggest achievement of India. India’s astronauts embody its pride, respect, and legacy. “These four astronauts have worked hard,” he remarked. They’re prepared to overcome any obstacles. pleading with the public and media to respect astronauts’ personal space.”
A remarkable day for India’s space sector! Addressing a programme at the Vikram Sarabhai Space Centre.
Do watch.https://t.co/STAdMjs6Eu
— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) February 27, 2024
The Gaganyaan mission, slated for 2025, intends to send humans into space and place them in a Low Earth Orbit for a three-day mission, about 400 kilometers above Earth’s surface. Employing an LVM3 rocket with three different propulsion stages—solid, liquid, and cryogenic—the mission is a significant advancement for India’s space exploration endeavors.
The Gaganyaan project embodies India’s goal to demonstrate the feasibility of human spaceflight by sending a four-person crew into a 400 km orbit for a three-day trip, after which they will safely return to Earth and land in Indian sea waters. A human-rated launch vehicle, life support systems, emergency escape plans for the crew, and crew management features for training, recuperation, and rehabilitation are some of the technologies used in the Gaganyaan Mission.
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