Shubhanshu Selected as Lead Astronaut for ISS; Training Begins This Week, Prashant Backup
India has chosen its chief astronaut for the India-US space mission. Group Captain Shubhanshu Shukla will be the chief astronaut for this mission. ISRO announced on Friday, August 2, that Captain Prashant Nair has also been selected for this mission. He will be part of it as a backup.
The date when Shubhanshu will go to the International Space Station (ISS) has not yet been announced. However, training for both will begin from the first week of this month. ISRO stated that the Human Space Flight Centre (HSFC) has entered into a Space Flight Agreement (SFA) with US-based Axiom Space for its upcoming Axiom-4 mission on the ISS.
Shubhanshu Selected from Four Astronauts
ISRO said, “The National Mission Assignment Board has selected Shubhanshu and Prashant from four astronauts. The India-US space mission agreement will help India complete its upcoming Gaganyaan mission.”
What’s Next: Shubhanshu and Prashant to Train in the US
Both Group Captain Shubhanshu and Group Captain Prashant will be trained in the US for the mission starting from the first week of August. The selected astronauts will conduct scientific research and test technology during the space mission. Additionally, they will also engage in outreach activities in space.
Shubhanshu Has Flown Fighter Jets Like Sukhoi and MiG
Shubhanshu is 38 years old. He is a fighter pilot and combat leader with over 2000 hours of flying experience. He has flown aircraft such as Sukhoi-30MKI, MiG-21, MiG-29, Jaguar, Hawk, Dornier, and AN-32.
Shubhanshu was born on October 10, 1985, in Lucknow, Uttar Pradesh. He is also a former student of the National Defence Academy (NDA). He joined the fighter stream of the Indian Air Force on June 17, 2006.
Captain Prashant Nair is the Oldest Among the Astronauts
Captain Prashant Balakrishnan Nair is the oldest (47 years) among the four astronauts. Prashant is also a former student of the NDA and received the Sword of Honour at the Air Force Academy. Prashant was born on August 26, 1976, in Thiruvazhiad, Kerala. He joined the fighter stream of the Indian Air Force on December 19, 1998.
Group Captain Nair is a Class-A flight trainer with over 3000 hours of flying experience. He has flown aircraft such as Sukhoi-30MKI, MiG-21, MiG-29, Hawk, Dornier, and AN-32.
Prashant has commanded the Sukhoi-30MKI squadron. He is also a former student of the US Staff College and serves as directing staff at the Defence Services Staff College, Wellington, and the Flying Instructors School, Tambaram.
PM Modi Announced the Names of These Four Astronauts Five Months Ago
On February 27, Prime Minister Modi announced the names of Group Captain Prashant Balakrishnan Nair, Group Captain Ajit Krishnan, Group Captain Angad Pratap, and Wing Commander Shubhanshu Shukla for the Gaganyaan mission.
