In a significant stride towards its ambitious space endeavors, India introduced four air force officers as the crew members for the upcoming ‘Gaganyaan’ mission, marking a monumental chapter in the nation’s space exploration history.
The mission, a first of its kind for India, aspires to place the country among the elite global players capable of sending humans into space, joining the ranks of the United States, Russia, and China.
During a ceremonious event held at the Vikram Sarabhai Space Centre in Thiruvananthapuram, Kerala, Prime Minister Narendra Modi bestowed “astronaut wings” upon the crew, comprising Group Captains Prashanth Balakrishnan Nair, Ajit Krishnan, Angad Pratap, and Wing Commander Shubhanshu Shukla. This public acknowledgment came after their months of intense preparation and training for the mission, which will see them launched into a Low Earth Orbit at an altitude of 400 km.
The Gaganyaan mission, translating to “sky craft” in Hindi, entails the deployment of a habitable space capsule with the potential return of the astronauts via a landing in the Indian Ocean. While the final crew selection for the onboard mission remains unannounced, the project’s vision is clear — to propel India’s prowess in space technology and exploration.
The project, with an estimated budget of 90.23 billion rupees ($1.1 billion), is not just a scientific venture but a symbol of national pride. Prime Minister Modi highlighted the significance of the mission, stating, “The country has come to know about the four Gaganyaan passengers. These are not just four names or four people. These are four powers who will take the aspirations of 140 crore Indians to space.” He further drew parallels to the historic journey of Wing Commander Rakesh Sharma, the first Indian to travel to space in 1984, underscoring that unlike Sharma’s Soviet-assisted odyssey, this time the mission is entirely under Indian command.
The announcement of the Gaganyaan mission and its astronauts has stirred excitement and anticipation across India. It reflects the nation’s growing capabilities and commitment to establishing its footprint in the final frontier.
As the Prime Minister aptly put it, “Forty years later, an Indian is going to space. But this time, the timing, the countdown, and the rocket belong to us.”
With such a milestone in sight, the Gaganyaan mission promises to elevate India’s space sector to unprecedented heights.
