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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