📷 Image Credits: The Indian Express
India’s ambitious Gaganyaan project is set to reach new heights as two astronauts have been shortlisted to embark on a mission to the International Space Station (ISS) aboard the Axiom-4 mission in collaboration with NASA. The mission, scheduled for “no earlier than October 2024,” will mark a significant milestone in India’s space exploration journey.
The selected astronauts, trained by the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO), will undergo specialized training in the United States to prepare for their mission to the ISS. This training will familiarize them with the ISS modules and protocols, ensuring a successful journey.
The Axiom-4 mission, a joint effort between NASA and private US company Axiom Space, will see the Indian astronauts dock at the ISS for a fourteen-day mission. This collaboration underscores the growing partnership between India and the United States in the field of space exploration.
With India’s own human spaceflight program, Gaganyaan, on the horizon, the upcoming mission to the ISS will pave the way for future manned missions. The astronauts-designate for Gaganyaan, including Group Captain Prasanth Balakrishnan Nair, Group Captain Ajit Krishnan, Group Captain Angad Pratap, and Wing Commander Shubhanshu Shukla, are undergoing rigorous training for the historic mission.
As India prepares for the Gaganyaan mission, significant milestones have been achieved in the human spaceflight program. The successful testing of the human readiness of the cryogenic engine and the development of the crew module and escape system demonstrate India’s commitment to space exploration.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s announcement of the astronaut-designates reflects the aspirations and optimism of 1.4 billion Indians, marking a historic moment in India’s space journey. The astronauts’ training and preparations for the Gaganyaan mission exemplify India’s dedication to achieving new milestones in space exploration.
The upcoming mission to the ISS aboard the Axiom-4 mission signifies India’s growing presence in the global space sector and sets the stage for future collaborations and achievements in space exploration.
