PM Modi Unveils Gaganyaan Astronauts and Reviews Progress in Kerala Visit
Prime Minister Narendra Modi, during his visit to the Vikram Sarabhai Space Center (VSSC) in Thiruvananthapuram, announced the names of the four pilots currently undergoing training for India’s maiden human space flight mission, ‘Gaganyaan.’ The astronaut-designates are Group Captain P Balakrishnan Nair, Group Captain Ajit Krishnan, Group Captain Angad Pratap, and Wing Commander S Shukla. PM Modi presented ‘astronaut wings’ to the four individuals and congratulated them, stating, “You are the pride of today’s India.”
The Gaganyaan mission, set for launch between 2024-2025, aims to send a crew of three humans into a 400 km orbit for a three-day mission, followed by a safe return to Earth with a landing in Indian sea waters. The mission incorporates India’s in-house expertise, industry experience, academic capabilities, and collaborations with international agencies.
During his address, PM Modi highlighted India’s success in the space sector, emphasizing its role in fostering scientific temperament among the nation’s youth. The visit included a review of the progress of the Gaganyaan mission. The announcement comes on the heels of ISRO’s successful completion of the human rating of its CE20 cryogenic engine, a crucial development for the Gaganyaan mission.
PM Modi, accompanied by Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan, Union Minister Muraleedharan, and ISRO Chairman S Somanath, expressed his satisfaction with the advancements in the space sector and the nation’s commitment to space exploration.
