ISRO chief K. Sivan on Wednesday announced that the organisation has identified four Indian Air Force personnel to be India's first astronauts.
Addressing a press conference, Sivan said the four candidates are all males and will be trained in Russia before they take part in the Gaganyaan mission. Sivan revealed their training would commence by the third week of January.
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India plans to launch Gaganyaan, its first manned space flight in 2022. The mission is expected to last at least seven days. Prime Minister Narendra Modi had announced plans to launch India's first manned space mission during his Independence Day speech in 2018.
Sivan told mediapersons ISRO would focus on preparations for Gaganyaan this year. Sivan also revealed India's next moon mission, Chandrayaan-3, has been approved by the government.
(With inputs from Abhinav Singh)
