The Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) has announced Group Captain Shubhanshu Shukla as the prime astronaut for its upcoming Indo-US mission to the International Space Station (ISS). This mission, a collaborative effort with NASA, marks a significant milestone in India’s space exploration endeavors.
Group Captain Shukla, who recently received a promotion, was selected as the lead astronaut from a pool of candidates. Born on October 10, 1985, in Lucknow, Uttar Pradesh, Shukla is the youngest of the astronaut-designates. He is a graduate of the National Defence Academy and was commissioned into the Indian Air Force (IAF) on June 17, 2006. With around 2,000 flying hours, Shukla is a Fighter Combat Leader and a test pilot with experience in various aircraft, including Sukhoi-30MKI, MiG-21, MiG-29, Jaguar, Hawk, Dornier, and An-32.
In addition to Shukla, Group Captain Prasanth Balakrishnan Nair has been appointed as the backup astronaut. Nair, born on August 26, 1976, in Thiruvazhiyad, Kerala, is the oldest of the astronaut-designates. He was commissioned into the IAF on December 19, 1998, and holds the position of Category-A flying Instructor. With approximately 3,000 flying hours, Nair has commanded a Sukhoi-30MKI squadron and is an alumnus of the United States Staff College.
The selection of Shukla as the prime astronaut reflects ISRO’s strategic approach, considering the long-term nature of the Gaganyaan program. The mission aims to prepare India for future space explorations, including plans to send a human to the Moon by 2040.
ISRO has signed a Space Flight Agreement (SFA) with NASA’s service provider Axiom Space Inc. for the Axiom-4 mission to the ISS. The Human Space Flight Centre (HSFC) of ISRO has recommended Shukla and Nair as the prime and backup mission pilots, respectively.
The astronauts are set to begin training this week, with their mission including scientific research, technology demonstration, and space outreach activities. The experiences gained during this mission are expected to advance India’s human spaceflight program and enhance cooperation between ISRO and NASA. The final approval for the mission will be granted by the Multilateral Crew Operations Panel (MCOP).
Sources By Agencies
