Himalaya Harbinger National Bureau.
In a significant development towards India’s ambitious Gaganyaan mission, Prime Minister Narendra Modi, during an official visit to Kerala, unveiled the final shortlist of candidates for the country’s first human spaceflight. The distinguished Air Force pilots selected are Prasanth Balakrishnan Nair, Ajit Krishnan, Angad Pratap, and Shubhanshu Shukla.
The Gaganyaan mission, approved by the Union Cabinet in 2018 at a cost of ₹10,000 crore, marks a crucial milestone in India’s space exploration endeavors. The mission aims to propel an Indian crew into low-earth orbit aboard an indigenous rocket, the human-rated Launch Vehicle Mark-3. According to the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO), two test flights of the rocket are scheduled for 2024 and 2025, with the crewed launch anticipated in 2025.
Despite challenges posed by the COVID-19 pandemic and ISRO’s commercial commitments, the organization has diligently worked alongside industry and academia collaborators to integrate the mission’s diverse components. The announcement of the selected astronauts is a pivotal step, bringing India closer to realizing its dream of human space exploration.
The Indian Space Policy 2023 dictates that ISRO must engage in applied research and development to maintain India’s prowess in human spaceflight. The policy further emphasizes the need to develop a long-term roadmap for sustained human presence in space. Echoing this sentiment, Prime Minister Modi expressed optimism about the mission, stating, “Gaganyaan signifies India’s commitment to advancing space exploration capabilities.”
While acknowledging the inherent challenges of a project of this magnitude, it is crucial to ensure that Gaganyaan transcends political motivations. ISRO has a track record of conducting technological, research, and commercial missions with transparency and accountability. As the nation approaches the final stages of Gaganyaan, there is a call for public scrutiny and debate, fostering a democratic culture around space exploration.
Looking ahead, the focus should not solely be on maintaining India’s edge in space but on creating new scientific and societal value. The roadmap for Gaganyaan aligns with Mr. Modi’s directive to land an Indian on the moon by 2040. However, the emphasis must be on scientific exploration and expanding human horizons, steering clear of geopolitical aspirations.
In a direct quote, a senior ISRO official remarked, “Gaganyaan represents a significant leap for India in the field of human spaceflight. Our focus remains on scientific excellence and advancing our capabilities for the betterment of humanity.”
As India stands on the verge of a historic achievement, the Gaganyaan mission symbolizes not just a technological triumph but a testament to India’s commitment to peaceful and scientific exploration beyond Earth’s boundaries.
