In a major update for India’s first-ever human space programme, Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Tuesday unveiled the space quartet of Mission Gaganyaan. At an event at the Vikram Sarabhai Space Centre, PM Modi announced the names of the four astronauts, who have been selected for the space mission. The names of the astronauts are – Shubhanshu Shukla, Prashanth Balakrishnan Nair, Ajit Krishnan and Angad Prathap. Bestowing the wings to the astronauts, PM Modi said that the countdown for the mega mission has begun.
What’s Gaganyaan Mission? Here’s how ISRO defines it
The Gaganyaan space mission aims to demonstrate India’s capability for human spaceflight by sending a crew of three members into a 400 km orbit for a mission lasting three days, followed by a safe return to Earth with a landing in the Indian sea waters. This ambitious endeavor is being pursued through a strategic approach that leverages the expertise within ISRO, the experience of the Indian industry, the intellectual prowess of Indian academia and research institutions, and cutting-edge technologies available internationally.
Key prerequisites for the Gaganyaan mission include the development of several critical technologies, such as a human-rated launch vehicle to transport the crew safely to space, a life support system to maintain a habitable environment for the crew, provisions for crew emergency escape, and the evolution of crew management aspects including training, recovery, and rehabilitation.