Current Affairs-Topics

India has selected two astronauts for the Axiom-4 mission

India has selected two astronauts for the Axiom-4 mission to the International Space Station (ISS). Shubhanshu Shukla will be the primary mission pilot and Prasanth Balakrishnan Nair will be the backup pilot.

Mission Overview and Astronaut Selection

  • India has selected two astronauts for the mission to the International Space Station (ISS)
  • Group Captain Shubhanshu Shukla: Primary mission pilot
  • Group Captain Prasanth Balakrishnan Nair: Backue Axiom-4
  • Part of a collaboration between ISRO (Indian Space Research Organisation) and NASA
  • Planned during Prime Minister Narendra Modi's U.S. visit in June 2023
  • Space Flight Agreement signed with Axiom Space Inc.

Astronaut Profiles and Training

Group Captain Shubhanshu Shukla:

  • Commissioned in the Indian Air Force (IAF) on June 17, 2006
  • Fighter Combat Leader and Test Pilot
  • Approximately 2000 flight hours
  • Experience with Su-30 MKI, MiG-21, and MiG-29 aircraft

Group Captain Prasanth Balakrishnan Nair:

  • Commissioned on December 19, 1998
  • Recipient of the Sword of Honour
  • Category A Flying Instructor and Test Pilot
  • Approximately 3000 flight hours
  • Former commander of a Su-30 Squadron
  • Alumnus of the United States Staff College

Training Schedule:

  • Begins in the first week of August 2024
  • Focuses on scientific research, technology demonstrations, and public outreach activities
  • Takes place in the United States

Axiom-4 Mission Details and Crew

  • Fourth private astronaut mission to the ISS

Crew composition:

    • Commander: Peggy Whitson (USA)
    • Pilot: Group Captain Shubhanshu Shukla (India)
    • Mission Specialists: Sławosz Uznanski (Poland) and Tibor Kapu (Hungary)
  • Crew approval by the Multilateral Crew Operations Panel (MCOP)
  • Mission objectives include scientific research, technology demonstration experiments, and space outreach activities

Significance for India's Space Program

  • Advances India's human spaceflight capabilities
  • Strengthens cooperation between ISRO and NASA
  • Serves as a precursor to the Gaganyaan mission, India's first crewed spaceflight
  • Gaganyaan mission aims to demonstrate India's ability to conduct a three-day orbital flight with a safe return
  • Four IAF test pilots, including Shukla and Nair, selected for Gaganyaan
  • Primary training for Gaganyaan underway at ISRO's Astronaut Training Facility in Bengaluru

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