In an exciting development for India’s space program, the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) has finalised two astronauts for its groundbreaking Gaganyaan Mission to the International Space Station (ISS) in collaboration with NASA. This mission, which is set to launch no earlier than October 2024, will see these astronauts embark on an incredible journey to the ISS, marking a significant milestone in India’s space exploration efforts.
The chosen astronauts will head to the United States for specialized training focused on the ISS modules and protocols, complementing their extensive training on the Gaganyaan modules in India. The mission, part of the Axiom-4 project, is NASA’s fourth private astronaut mission in partnership with Axiom Space. It will involve a fourteen-day docking with the ISS, with SpaceX providing transportation and familiarization with the Dragon spacecraft systems, procedures, and emergency protocols.
This collaboration has been long in the making. During Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s visit to the US last year, a joint statement announced NASA’s commitment to providing advanced training to Indian astronauts. NASA administrator Bill Nelson reiterated this commitment during his visit to Delhi, confirming plans to train an Indian astronaut for the ISS mission by the end of 2024.
While India’s own human spaceflight under the Gaganyaan mission is projected for 2025, contingent on the success of two prior unmanned flights, this joint venture with NASA represents a significant leap forward, symbolizing India’s growing role in global space exploration.