In a historic announcement, Prime Minister Narendra Modi has unveiled the names of the four astronauts who have been carefully selected to embark on India’s pioneering Gaganyaan Mission. This mission marks India’s inaugural venture into human space flight, signifying a monumental leap in the nation’s space exploration endeavors.
The astronauts chosen for this extraordinary mission are Prashanth Nair, Angad Prathap, Ajit Krishnan, and Shubhanshu Shukla. These individuals are currently undergoing rigorous training to prepare for the challenges and responsibilities of representing India in space.
The Gaganyaan Mission, spearheaded by the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO), stands as a testament to India’s technological prowess and ambition in the realm of space exploration. Extensive preparations are underway across various ISRO centers to ensure the success of this historic endeavor.
Central to the Gaganyaan project’s objectives is the demonstration of India’s capability to conduct human spaceflight missions. The mission aims to launch crew members into an orbit 400 kilometers above the Earth’s surface for a duration of three days before safely returning them to Earth, with a planned landing in Indian sea waters.
ISRO’s recent achievements, including the successful soft landing of Chandrayaan-3 on the South Pole of the Moon and the launch of Aditya-L1, India’s first solar mission, underscore the nation’s growing prominence in the global space community.
Furthermore, ISRO’s completion of acceptance tests for the flight engine designated for the first unmanned Gaganyaan mission signifies significant progress towards realizing this ambitious goal. The engine, slated to power the upper stage of the human-rated LVM3 vehicle, boasts impressive thrust capabilities and specific impulse, paving the way for future manned missions.
Looking ahead, India’s space exploration roadmap is brimming with ambition and promise. The Gaganyaan Mission, scheduled for 2024-2025, is just the beginning of India’s aspirations in space. Plans are already underway for establishing the ‘Bharatiya Antariksha Station’ by 2035 and for sending the first Indian to the Moon by 2040, marking milestones in India’s quest for celestial exploration.
Sources By Agencies
