ISRO's Gaganyaan Mission: Indian Crew Member to Join ISS in Joint Effort with NASA

One of the four crew members selected for the Gaganyaan mission, the Indian Space Research Organisation's (ISRO) first human-crewed spaceflight, will be heading to the International Space Station (ISS) after August. Union Minister Jitendra Singh announced this exciting news in the Lok Sabha on Friday.

This mission to the ISS is a collaborative effort between ISRO and NASA, the US space agency. "ISRO is working with NASA on a joint mission to the ISS, where one of our 'Gaganyaatris' will travel to space," Singh said. The mission also involves Axiom Space, a private company identified by NASA. ISRO recently signed a space flight agreement with Axiom Space to make this mission possible.

Minister of State for Science and Technology Jitendra Singh shared these details in response to a question from Trinamool Congress MP Saugata Roy about the 'Axiom-4 Mission,' astronauts, and the Gaganyaan mission. According to NASA, this will be the fourth private astronaut mission to the ISS, scheduled for launch no earlier than August 2024 from Kennedy Space Center in Florida.

In February, Prime Minister Narendra Modi introduced the four 'Gaganyaatris' – elite fighter pilots from the Indian Air Force (IAF). The selected crew members are Group Captains Prasanth Balakrishnan Nair, Ajit Krishnan, Angad Pratap, and Wing Commander Shubanshu Shukla.

Minister Singh also mentioned that these IAF pilots are currently undergoing intensive training at ISRO's Astronauts Training Facility in Bengaluru. "They have completed two out of three semesters of their training program. We've also developed independent training simulators and static mockup simulators," Singh said.

The Gaganyaan mission, set to launch next year, is a significant milestone for India's space exploration efforts. It aims to showcase India's capability in human spaceflight and strengthen its position in the global space community. The partnership with NASA and Axiom Space highlights the spirit of international cooperation and advanced technological achievements in space exploration today.

The Gaganyaan mission represents India's commitment to advancing space technology and exploration. As the nation looks forward to the launch, the joint mission with NASA and the inclusion of an Indian astronaut aboard the ISS marks a historic achievement for ISRO and the Indian space program.