India is gearing up for a historic leap in space exploration as the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) unveils the first batch of astronaut candidates selected for the landmark Gaganyaan mission.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi recently disclosed the identities of the pioneering group set to embark on a ground breaking three-day space voyage.
The astronaut candidates, who will undergo rigorous training at Bengaluru’s Astronaut Training facility, include Group Captain P Balakrishnan Nair, Group Captain Ajit Krishnan, Group Captain Angad Pratap, and Wing Commander S Shukla. The selection marks a significant milestone in India’s ambitious human spaceflight initiative, Gaganyaan.
For the mission, three of the selected candidates will board ISRO’s formidable rocket, the LVM Mk-3, specially modified for human space travel.
The rocket is slated to launch into Low Earth Orbit (LEO) at an elevation of around 400 km, and the mission’s duration is expected to range from one to three days. The primary challenge lies in ensuring the safe return of these astronauts to Earth.
Cosmonaut Rakesh Sharma, who ventured into space aboard a Soviet Soyuz spacecraft in 1984, remains the lone Indian to have accomplished this extraordinary feat.
As India prepares for its inaugural manned space mission, ISRO is meticulously working to ensure the safety and success of the Gaganyaan mission. If successful, India would join an elite group of nations, including the Soviet Union (now Russia), the US, and China, as the fourth country globally to achieve human spaceflight.
The scheduled launch for Gaganyaan is set for late 2025, and ISRO has planned more than 20 intricate tests in the lead-up to the mission.
These tests include test vehicle flights and unmanned flights with robotic payloads. Among these preparations are four test-abort missions (TV-D1, D2, D3, and D4) and two unmanned missions (LVM3-G1 and G2) designed to thoroughly evaluate each component of the flight system.
As anticipation builds for India’s maiden manned space mission, Gaganyaan stands poised to mark a historic achievement in the country’s space exploration journey, showcasing India’s prowess in space technology and commitment to pushing the boundaries of scientific exploration.
