Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) on Friday announced that Group Captain Shubhanshu Shukla is chosen to fly on the upcoming Indo-US mission to the International Space Station (ISS). Shukla is designated as the prime astronaut to fly on the mission, while Group Captain Prasanth Balakrishnan Nair will be the backup astronaut.
In an official release, the ISRO said its Human Space Flight Centre has entered into a space flight agreement with US' Axiom Space Inc. For the mission, the National Mission Assignment Board has recommended two ‘gaganyatris’.
The Board has "recommended two 'gaganyatris' (space travellers) --Group Captain Shukla (prime) and Group Captain Nair (backup),” read the statement.
"The assigned crew members will be finally approved to fly to the International Space Station by the Multilateral Crew Operations Panel (MCOP). The recommended gaganyatris will commence their training for the mission from the first week of August 2024," said ISRO.
The 'gaganyatris' will be undertaking selected scientific research and technology demonstration experiments on board the ISS and engage in space outreach activities, it added.
"The experiences gained during this mission will be beneficial for the Indian Human Space Programme and it will also strengthen human space flight cooperation between ISRO and NASA," the Indian space agency said.
A joint statement issued by ISRO and NASA IN June last year had envisioned a joint ISRO-NASA mission to the space station. The decision was announced after Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s official state visit to the US.
Who is Group Shubhanshu Shukla?
Born in Uttar Pradesh’s Lucknow in 1985, Shukla is an alumnus of the National Defence Academy. He was commissioned on June 17, 2006 in the fighter stream of the Indian Air Force (IAF).
He is a Fighter Combat Leader and a test pilot with approximately 2,000 hours of flying experience. He has flown a variety of aircraft including Sukhoi-30MKI, MiG-21, MiG-29, Jaguar, Hawk, Dornier, and An-32, among others.
Who is Group Captain Prasanth Balakrishnan Nair?
Born in Kerala's Thiruvazhiyad on August 26, 1976, he is also an alumnus of the National Defence Academy and a recipient of the Sword of Honour at the Air Force Academy. He was commissioned on December 19, 1998 in the fighter stream of the IAF.
Group Captain Nair is a Category-A flying Instructor - the highest that a pilot can achieve, and a test pilot with approximately 3,000 hours of flying experience. He has also flown several aircraft including Sukhoi-30MKI, MiG-21, MiG-29, Hawk, Dornier and An-32.
He is an alumnus of the United States Staff College and a Directing Staff at the Defence Services Staff College, Wellington and the Flying Instructors School, Tambaram.