India (Commonwealth Union)_ Prime Minister Narendra Modi heralded India’s expanding role in the global arena, underscoring its advancements in the space program, during the announcement of the four astronauts chosen for the nation’s ambitious human spaceflight mission, Gaganyaan. The Gaganyaan mission aims to launch a three-member crew into Low Earth Orbit, facilitating a three-day journey before their safe return. The selected astronauts have undergone rigorous training, encompassing technical proficiency and physical conditioning, to ensure their well-being throughout the mission.
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In a momentous ceremony held at the Vikram Sarabhai Space Centre in Thiruvananthapuram, Prime Minister Modi bestowed astronaut status upon the four selected individuals slated for the Gaganyaan mission. Among them are Group Captains Prasanth Balakrishnan Nair, Ajit Krishnan, and Angad Pratap, along with Wing Commander Shubhanshu Shukla. During the ceremony, Prime Minister Modi presented astronaut wings to the selected pilots, marking a historic milestone in India’s pursuit of space exploration. Here are the brief profiles of each astronaut.
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Group Captain Prasanth Balakrishnan Nair
Group Captain Prasanth Balakrishnan Nair, a Kerala native born on August 26, 1976, is a distinguished graduate of the National Defence Academy (NDA) in Pune. Commissioned into the Indian Air Force’s fighter stream on December 19, 1998, he holds the esteemed designation of Cat A Flying Instructor and Test Pilot, boasting 3,000 flying hours across various aircraft. Apart from being an alumnus of the United States Staff College, Defence Services Staff College (DSSC), Wellington, and the Flying Instructor School, Tambaram, Tamil Nadu, he is also the recipient of the prestigious Sword of Honor at the Air Force Academy, Hyderabad.
Group Captain Ajit Krishnan
Group Captain Ajit Krishnan, an alumnus of the National Defence Academy, joined the fighter stream upon commissioning on June 21, 2003. With a wealth of experience amounting to 2,900 flying hours, he has piloted a diverse array of aircraft, including the Su-30MKI, MiG-21, SEPECAt Jaguar, and many other aircraft. Additionally, he is also the recipient of the President’s Gold Medal and Sword of Honor.
Group Captain Angad Pratap
Group Captain Angad Pratap, hailing from Prayagraj, Uttar Pradesh, was commissioned into the fighter stream on December 18, 2004. A seasoned Flying Instructor and Test Pilot, he brings approximately 2,200 flying hours of experience to the Gaganyaan mission.
Wing Commander Shubhanshu Shukla
Wing Commander Shubhanshu Shukla, born in Lucknow, embarked on his aviation career upon commissioning into the fighter stream on June 17, 2006. With around 2,000 flying hours and specialized training from the Tactics and Combat Development Establishment (TACDE), he brings valuable expertise to the mission.
According to the Prime Minister, these four Gaganyaan passengers represent not merely individuals but conduits for the aspirations of 1.4 billion Indians. Emphasizing India’s ownership of the mission’s timing, countdown, and spacecraft, he underscored the nation’s stride towards space exploration. Notably, Wing Commander Rakesh Sharma (retired) previously ventured into space in 1984 as part of a Soviet mission. He stated, “The country has come to know about the four Gaganyaan passengers. These are not just four names or four people. These are the four powers who will take the aspirations of 140 crore Indians to space. Forty years later, an Indian is going to space. But this time, the timing, the countdown, and the rocket belong to us”.
Prime Minister Modi also highlighted the Gaganyaan mission’s significance in propelling India’s space sector to unprecedented heights, particularly as the nation gears to become the world’s third-largest economy. Acknowledging the pivotal role of women scientists in India’s space endeavors, he commended their indispensable contributions to missions like Chandrayaan and Gaganyaan. He stated, “India’s Nari Shakti is playing a pivotal role in the space sector. Be it Chandrayaan or Gaganyaan, no such mission can be imagined without women scientists”. According to PM Modi, India’s achievements in the space domain not only foster a scientific mindset among its youth but also position the nation as a dynamic global player in the 21st century, encapsulating significant advancements across sectors.
