In a historic moment for India’s space program, Prime Minister Narendra Modi unveiled the identities of the four pilots selected for the country’s maiden human spaceflight mission, Gaganyaan, during his visit to the Vikram Sarabhai Space Center (VSSC) in Thiruvananthapuram, Kerala. Accompanied by Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan, Union Minister Muraleedharan, and ISRO Chairman S Somanath, PM Modi awarded the ‘astronaut wings’ to the chosen astronauts, emphasizing India’s pioneering venture into manned space exploration.
The astronaut designates, comprising Group Captain P Balakrishnan Nair, Group Captain Ajit Krishnan, Group Captain Angad Pratap, and Wing Commander S Shukla, represent the aspirations and optimism of 1.4 billion Indians. Their selection marks a significant milestone in India’s journey towards becoming a spacefaring nation.
Gaganyaan Mission: Pioneering India’s Manned Space Odyssey
Scheduled for launch between 2024-2025, the Gaganyaan mission is poised to propel India into the league of nations conducting human spaceflight missions. The mission’s objective is to deploy a crew of three astronauts into a 400 km orbit for a three-day mission, followed by a safe return to Earth via landing in Indian sea waters. This ambitious endeavor underscores India’s technological prowess and commitment to pushing the boundaries of space exploration.
ISRO’s Milestones and Progress
In tandem with the Gaganyaan mission, the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) achieved a significant milestone with the successful human rating of its CE20 cryogenic engine. This engine, a critical component powering the cryogenic stage of the human-rated LVM3 launch vehicle for Gaganyaan missions, underwent rigorous ground qualification tests at the High Altitude Test Facility in ISRO Propulsion Complex, Mahendragiri. This accomplishment signifies a leap forward in India’s preparations for its maiden manned spaceflight.
It was a very special moment for me to hand over wings to the four Indian astronaut-designates. They reflect the hopes, aspirations and optimism of 140 crore Indians.
— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) February 27, 2024
India is proud of Group Captain Prasanth Balakrishnan Nair, Group Captain Ajit Krishnan, Group Captain Angad… pic.twitter.com/i0oseaxd4o
Inauguration of Space Infrastructure Projects
During his visit to Kerala, PM Modi inaugurated three pivotal space infrastructure projects aimed at bolstering India’s space capabilities. These projects include the PSLV Integration Facility (PIF) at Satish Dhawan Space Centre, Sriharikota; the ‘Semi-cryogenics Integrated Engine and stage Test facility’ at ISRO Propulsion Complex, Mahendragiri; and the ‘Trisonic Wind Tunnel’ at VSSC, Thiruvananthapuram. Developed at a cost of approximately ₹1,800 crore, these projects underscore India’s commitment to advancing its space infrastructure and capabilities.
PM Modi’s unveiling of the astronaut designates for the Gaganyaan mission, coupled with ISRO’s milestones and the inauguration of key space infrastructure projects, marks a watershed moment in India’s space exploration journey. With the Gaganyaan mission set to propel Indian astronauts into space and ongoing efforts to enhance space infrastructure, India reaffirms its status as a burgeoning space power on the global stage.
Image credits: narendramodi twitter
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