Six years after PM Narendra Modi announced the decision to send Indians into space, he unveiled the four selected astronauts-designate to the nation on Tuesday.
These individuals have been undergoing training in anonymity for the past four years.
The chosen candidates are Group Captains Prasanth Balakrishnan Nair (47), Angad Pratap (41), Ajit Krishnan (41), and Wing Commander Shubhanshu Shukla (38), all esteemed officers of the Indian Air Force. They are set to follow in the footsteps of Rakesh Sharma, who made history as the first and only Indian to travel to space back in 1984 aboard a Russian spacecraft. Notably, two Indian-Americans, Kalpana Chawla and Sunita Williams, have also ventured into space on NASA missions.
NASA and Gaganyaan Mission Roles Honored by PM Modi
Of the four IAF pilots, one is poised to fly to the International Space Station later this year as part of a NASA mission, pursuant to an agreement between the space agencies of India and the United States forged last year. The remaining astronauts will play integral roles in the Gaganyaan mission, marking India’s inaugural manned space flight, currently slated for next year. While the space capsule for Gaganyaan can accommodate three astronauts, the final decision regarding whether to send two or three astronauts on the mission is yet to be determined.
During a ceremony held at the Vikram Sarabhai Space Centre in Thumba near Thiruvananthapuram, PM Modi hailed the four officers as “four Shakti” and honored them with the prestigious ‘astronaut wings’. Referring to them as the embodiment of strength, PM Modi emphasized their role in carrying the aspirations of 140 crore Indians into space. He urged the audience to give the pilots a standing ovation, recognizing their remarkable achievement.
Underlining the importance of this mission, he highlighted that it marked the first Indian venture into space in four decades. “This time around, the countdown, the timing, and even the rocket would be ours,” he declared, emphasizing India’s autonomy and leadership in the space exploration arena.
PM Modi further expressed his pride in the fact that a majority of the components for the Gaganyaan mission have been produced domestically in India, highlighting the nation’s self-sufficiency in the realm of space exploration.
Commending the unwavering dedication and indomitable spirit displayed by the four pilots throughout their training, he lauded them as exemplary representatives of India’s “Amrit generation”. This generation, he noted, embodies resilience and determination, fearlessly confronting all obstacles. Additionally, he underscored the incorporation of yoga into their training regimen, recognizing its role in enhancing physical and mental well-being, which are crucial attributes for space exploration endeavors.
“In this era of opportunity, an Indian astronaut will set foot on the Moon aboard an Indian rocket,” he declared. Addressing the ISRO team, he commended their efforts, stating, “All of you are paving the way for future possibilities.”
India’s Space Endeavors: Progress, Challenges, and Ambitions
To date, only three nations—the United States, Russia, and China—have achieved human spaceflights, with over 600 astronauts, including over 70 women, representing nearly 50 different countries venturing into space.
The Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) initiated plans for a human spaceflight mission as early as 2004. However, substantial progress materialized following the successful Chandrayaan and Mangalyaan missions, coupled with advancements in the GSLV rocket over the past decade.
Originally slated for launch in 2022 to coincide with India’s 75th Independence Day anniversary, the Gaganyaan mission faced delays due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Despite setbacks, India remains steadfast in its commitment to realize its ambitions in space exploration.
