New Delhi: Prime Minister Narendra Modi today highlighted India’s growing presence in the global space arena, particularly through its ambitious space program, as he unveiled the names of four astronauts selected for the country’s human space flight mission, Gaganyaan.
During an event held at the Vikram Sarabhai Space Centre in Thiruvananthapuram, the Prime Minister conferred astronaut wings upon the four individuals chosen for the space flight. The astronaut-designates for the Gaganyaan mission are Group Captain Prasanth Balakrishnan Nair, Group Captain Ajit Krishnan, Group Captain Angad Pratap, and Wing Commander Shubhanshu Shukla.
The primary objective of the human space flight mission is to launch a three-member crew into a Low Earth Orbit and safely return them after a three-day mission duration. The selected astronauts have undergone rigorous training in both technical knowledge and physical fitness to ensure their well-being throughout the mission.
“The announcement of the four Gaganyaan passengers isn’t merely about individuals; it symbolizes the collective aspirations of 140 crore Indians reaching for the stars,” stated Prime Minister Narendra Modi. He emphasized the significance of this moment, noting that it marks forty years since an Indian last journeyed into space, but this time, the journey is under India’s command.
Reflecting on Wing Commander Rakesh Sharma’s historic mission in 1984 as part of a Soviet mission, the Prime Minister underscored the monumental shift as India prepares to launch its own astronauts into space.
Highlighting India’s economic growth trajectory and its imminent position as the world’s third-largest economy, the Prime Minister emphasized how the Gaganyaan mission will propel the country’s space sector to unprecedented heights.
In a significant step forward for India’s space program, Prime Minister Narendra Modi unveiled the names of the four astronauts selected for the country’s Gaganyaan mission, marking a pivotal moment in India’s journey into space.
During an event at the Vikram Sarabhai Space Centre in Thiruvananthapuram, the Prime Minister presented astronaut wings to the four selected individuals: Group Captain Prasanth Balakrishnan Nair, Group Captain Ajit Krishnan, Group Captain Angad Pratap, and Wing Commander Shubhanshu Shukla.
The Gaganyaan mission aims to send a three-member crew into Low Earth Orbit for three days, marking a significant milestone in India’s human spaceflight endeavors. The selected astronauts have undergone rigorous training in both technical knowledge and physical fitness to ensure their well-being during the mission.
Prime Minister Modi emphasized the significance of this moment by highlighting that the four astronauts represent the aspirations of 140 crore Indians. He underscored the historical significance of this mission, noting that it has been forty years since an Indian last ventured into space, but this time, the timing, countdown, and rocket belong to India.
Looking ahead, Prime Minister Modi noted that as India gears up to become the world’s third-largest economy, the Gaganyaan mission will propel the country’s space sector to new heights.
Furthermore, Prime Minister Modi acknowledged the pivotal role of women scientists in India’s space technology sector, emphasizing that missions like Chandrayaan and Gaganyaan are unthinkable without their contributions. He highlighted the significant strides made across sectors, stating that India’s success in the space sector is not only fostering scientific temperament among the youth but also positioning India as a dynamic global player in the 21st century.