1. Prime Minister Narendra Modi unveiled the astronauts selected for India’s groundbreaking Gaganyaan Mission.
2. These four Indian Air Force Officers will make history as the first Indians to journey to space from their homeland.
3. Their mission represents India’s bold step towards space exploration using indigenous space technology.
New Delhi, Feb 27: Prime Minister Narendra Modi made a historic announcement, unveiling the astronauts who will embark on India’s ambitious Gaganyaan Mission.
These four Indian Air Force Officers will be the pioneers, marking India’s maiden voyage to space from its soil aboard an indigenous space vehicle.
The distinguished astronauts are Group Captain Prashanth Balakrishnan, Group Captain Ajith Krishnan, Group Captain Angad Pratap, and Wing Commander Shubhanshu Shukla. Following rigorous training in Russia, they are undergoing further preparations at India’s Isro training facility.
Prime Minister Modi personally oversaw the progress of the Gaganyaan mission at the Vikram Sarabhai Space Centre (VSSC) and engaged with Vyomitra, a humanoid, slated to be the precursor to human astronauts on the mission.
The primary objective of the Gaganyaan mission is to transport a crew of three astronauts into low Earth orbit, positioning India as the fourth nation globally, after the United States, Russia, and China, to independently conduct manned space missions.
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The spacecraft being developed for this mission boasts cutting-edge technology, including life support and communication systems, essential for sustaining human life in space.
The selection and training process for these astronauts has been rigorous, encompassing diverse areas such as space navigation, survival skills, and simulated space missions.
This meticulous training regime ensures their preparedness for space travel challenges.
Prime Minister Modi’s visit to the Isro headquarters marked a momentous occasion, wherein he not only unveiled the Gaganyaan crew but also inaugurated several crucial facilities.
Among these were the PSLV Integration Facility, the Semi-cryogenic Integrated Engine and Stage Test facility at Mahendragiri, and the Trisonic Wind Tunnel at the VSSC.
The PSLV Integration Facility aims to ramp up the frequency of PSLV launches to 15 per year, accommodating launches of mini-PSLV and small satellite launch vehicles, thus enhancing India’s space launch capabilities.
Additionally, the Semi-cryogenic Integrated Engine and Stage Test facility at IPRC Mahendragiri signifies a significant leap in engine development technology.
With the ability to test engines with up to 200 tons of thrust, it is poised to bolster India’s launch vehicle capabilities, thereby expanding its payload capacity.
Prime Minister Modi’s announcement of the Gaganyaan crew and the inauguration of these key facilities marks a significant milestone in India’s space exploration journey, underlining its commitment to advancing space technology and exploration.
