Gaganyaan: Names of Astronauts For India's First Human Space Flight Mission

During his visit to Kerala on Tuesday, Prime Minister Narendra Modi unveiled the identities of the four astronauts set to embark on India's inaugural human spaceflight program, Gaganyaan, at the Vikram Sarabhai Space Centre (VSSC) in Thumba, Thiruvananthapuram. Scheduled for launch in 2024-25, this historic mission marks a significant milestone for India's space exploration dreams.

Group Captain Prashanth Balakrishnan Nair, Angad Prathap, Ajit Krishnan, and Shubanshu Shukla have been handpicked to lead India's maiden crewed space mission. Hailing from distinguished backgrounds within the Indian Air Force (IAF), all four astronauts boast commendable credentials as either wing commanders or group captains, coupled with extensive experience as test pilots, equipping them with the requisite skills to navigate challenging scenarios with precision and agility. According to the Malayalam-language publication Mathrubhumi, Nair, a native of Nenmara in Palakkad, embarked on his journey with the Air Force in 1999 after completing his engineering degree from NSS College, also located in Palakkad.

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What is the Gaganyaan Mission?

The Gaganyaan, aptly named 'celestial vehicle', is slated to transport astronauts on a momentous 3-day journey to an orbit of 400 km above Earth, before safely returning them to the planet's surface via a controlled landing in the Indian sea waters.

As India's pioneering human spaceflight endeavour, the mission embodies the Indian Space Research Organisation's (ISRO) ambition to showcase its proficiency in manned space travel by launching a crew of three individuals into orbit.

With the final mission set to accommodate a crew of three astronauts, ISRO is diligently preparing for this historic feat. Rigorous testing regimes are underway to ensure the integrity and safety of the systems designed to facilitate the astronauts' journey to and from space, emphasising ISRO's commitment to delivering a secure and successful mission.

The announcement of these esteemed astronauts was eagerly anticipated, with S Somanath, Chairman of the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO), affirming Prime Minister Modi's role in disclosing their identities during his visit to the Vikram Sarabhai Space Centre (VSSC) in Thiruvananthapuram. This momentous revelation took place at approximately 10:45 am on February 27, 2024, marking a pivotal moment in India's space exploration narrative.

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