'Touch space with glory': IAF's message as 2 pilots are chosen to fly to International Space Station
| 2024-08-03
Group Captain Shubhanshu Shukla (L) and Group Captain Prasanth Balakrishnan Nair (R). (X/@IAF_MCC)
The experiences gained during this mission will be beneficial for the Indian Human Space Programme, says ISRO
Two Indian Air Force pilots have been selected to train for a trip to the International Space Station (ISS) as part of the upcoming Axiom-4 mission under the aegis of NASA.
Group Captain Shubhanshu Shukla will serve as the prime astronaut, while Group Captain Prasanth Balakrishnan Nair will be his backup, the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) said on Friday (August 2, 2024). Their names were recommended by a National Mission Assignment Board.
The India Air Force described Group Captain Shukla as an experienced Test Pilot with 2,000 hours of flying.
"After touching the sky with glory, it's time for the #IAF to touch space with glory. Group Captain Shubhanshu Shukla and Group Captain Prasanth Balakrishnan Nair are chosen for the upcoming Indo-US Axiom-4 mission to the ISS. The prime astronaut, Group Captain Shukla, is an experienced Test Pilot with 2000 hrs of flying. #SpaceMission," the Indian Air Force posted on X.
The recommended Gaganyatris (astronauts) will commence their training for the mission from the first week of August. According to ISRO, the assigned crewmembers will be finally approved to fly to the International Space Station by the Multilateral Crew Operations Panel (MCOP).
ISRO had earlier entered into a Space Flight Agreement (SFA) with NASA-identified service provider M/s Axiom Space Inc., USA for the Axiom-4 mission.
During the mission, the Gaganyatri will undertake selected scientific research and technology demonstration experiments on board the ISS as well as engage in space outreach activities. "The experiences gained during this mission will be beneficial for the Indian Human Space Program and it will also strengthen human space flight cooperation between ISRO & NASA," the ISRO statement said.
The joint ISRO-NASA effort to the International Space Station (ISS) was announced during the official state visit of Prime Minister Narendra Modi to the USA in June 2023.
The joint statement issued after his talks with US President Joe Biden said the leaders welcomed the decision of NASA and ISRO to develop a strategic framework for human spaceflight cooperation by the end of 2023. They hailed the announcement by NASA to provide advanced training to Indian astronauts at the Johnson Space Center in Houston, Texas, with a goal of mounting a joint effort to the International Space Station in 2024.
India on Track for Maiden Human Space Mission
Meanwhile, India is on track for its maiden Human Space Programme, Mission Gaganyaan.
Prime Minister Modi announced the names of four astronaut-designates for the Gaganyaan Space Mission on February 27, 2024 - Indian Air Force Group Captains Prashanth Balakrishnan Nair, Ajit Krishnan and Angad Pratap, & then Wing Commander Shubhanshu Shukla.
Union Minister Jitendra Singh provided an update on the Gaganyaan Mission in reply to a question in the Lok Sabha last week.
1. Ground testing of propulsion systems stages, including solid, liquid and cryogenic engines, towards human rating of the launch vehicle has been completed.
2. Design and realisation of five types of crew escape system solid motors has been completed.
3. Static testing of all five types of solid motors too has been completed.
4. The first Test Vehicle mission (TV-D1) for performance validation of crew escape system and parachute deployment has been successfully accomplished.
5. The crew module and service module structure realization has been completed and flight integration activities are in progress. Parachute systems have been tested.
Group Captain Shubhanshu Shukla will serve as the prime astronaut, while Group Captain Prasanth Balakrishnan Nair will be his backup, the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) said on Friday (August 2, 2024). Their names were recommended by a National Mission Assignment Board.
The India Air Force described Group Captain Shukla as an experienced Test Pilot with 2,000 hours of flying.
"After touching the sky with glory, it's time for the #IAF to touch space with glory. Group Captain Shubhanshu Shukla and Group Captain Prasanth Balakrishnan Nair are chosen for the upcoming Indo-US Axiom-4 mission to the ISS. The prime astronaut, Group Captain Shukla, is an experienced Test Pilot with 2000 hrs of flying. #SpaceMission," the Indian Air Force posted on X.
The recommended Gaganyatris (astronauts) will commence their training for the mission from the first week of August. According to ISRO, the assigned crewmembers will be finally approved to fly to the International Space Station by the Multilateral Crew Operations Panel (MCOP).
ISRO had earlier entered into a Space Flight Agreement (SFA) with NASA-identified service provider M/s Axiom Space Inc., USA for the Axiom-4 mission.
During the mission, the Gaganyatri will undertake selected scientific research and technology demonstration experiments on board the ISS as well as engage in space outreach activities. "The experiences gained during this mission will be beneficial for the Indian Human Space Program and it will also strengthen human space flight cooperation between ISRO & NASA," the ISRO statement said.
The joint ISRO-NASA effort to the International Space Station (ISS) was announced during the official state visit of Prime Minister Narendra Modi to the USA in June 2023.
The joint statement issued after his talks with US President Joe Biden said the leaders welcomed the decision of NASA and ISRO to develop a strategic framework for human spaceflight cooperation by the end of 2023. They hailed the announcement by NASA to provide advanced training to Indian astronauts at the Johnson Space Center in Houston, Texas, with a goal of mounting a joint effort to the International Space Station in 2024.
India on Track for Maiden Human Space Mission
Meanwhile, India is on track for its maiden Human Space Programme, Mission Gaganyaan.
Prime Minister Modi announced the names of four astronaut-designates for the Gaganyaan Space Mission on February 27, 2024 - Indian Air Force Group Captains Prashanth Balakrishnan Nair, Ajit Krishnan and Angad Pratap, & then Wing Commander Shubhanshu Shukla.
Union Minister Jitendra Singh provided an update on the Gaganyaan Mission in reply to a question in the Lok Sabha last week.
1. Ground testing of propulsion systems stages, including solid, liquid and cryogenic engines, towards human rating of the launch vehicle has been completed.
2. Design and realisation of five types of crew escape system solid motors has been completed.
3. Static testing of all five types of solid motors too has been completed.
4. The first Test Vehicle mission (TV-D1) for performance validation of crew escape system and parachute deployment has been successfully accomplished.
5. The crew module and service module structure realization has been completed and flight integration activities are in progress. Parachute systems have been tested.
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