In a landmark development for India’s space program, Group Captain Shubhanshu Shukla has been selected as the nation’s inaugural “Gaganyaatri” (space traveler) for the upcoming Axiom-4 mission to the International Space Station (ISS). The Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) made the announcement on Friday.
The Axiom-4 mission is a collaborative effort involving ISRO, NASA, and Axiom Space Inc. ISRO’s Human Space Flight Centre (HSFC) has recently signed a Space Flight Agreement (SFA) with Axiom Space for this mission. Shukla will take on the role of lead pilot, with Group Captain Prasanth Balakrishnan Nair serving as the backup pilot. Both astronauts are set to begin their specialized training at ISRO’s Astronaut Training Facility in Bengaluru in early August 2024.
The Axiom-4 crew will also include NASA’s Peggy Whitson as Commander, along with Mission Specialists SÅ‚awosz Uznanski from Poland and Tibor Kapu from Hungary. The mission will involve conducting important scientific research and technology demonstrations on the ISS and engaging in outreach to promote space exploration.
This mission is part of a larger U.S.-India partnership announced during Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s visit to the United States last year, aiming to enhance collaboration between ISRO and NASA in human spaceflight.
The selection of Shukla follows the choice of four Indian Air Force test pilots for the Gaganyaan mission, who have completed initial training in Russia and are now receiving advanced training at ISRO’s facility. Union Minister Jitendra Singh emphasized the mission’s significance for advancing India’s Human Space Programme and reinforcing international space cooperation.
Many youths is feeling proud and inspired by it
Undoubtedly it will inspire future generations
Proud moment for Indians. I hope to see some people from our community working for ISRO in the future
Q. What is Gaganyaatri?
A. Gaganyaatri is the term used to refer to astronauts who are part of India’s Gaganyaan mission. Gaganyaan, initiated by the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO), aims to send Indian astronauts into space. The mission, which represents India’s first manned spaceflight program, plans to send a crew of three astronauts, or “Gaganyaatris,” into a low Earth orbit. The mission’s objectives include demonstrating human spaceflight capability, conducting microgravity experiments, and advancing India’s technological capabilities in human space exploration.