Prime Minister Narendra Modi is visiting the Vikram Sarabhai Space Centre (VSSC) in Kerala’s Thiruvananthapuram, where he will review preparations for the Gaganyaan Mission and reveal the names of four test pilots undergoing training for the mission.
During his visit, PM Modi is also set to inaugurate three important space infrastructure projects worth about Rs 1800 crore.
INDIA’S GAGANYAAN MISSION
The Prime Minister is set to review the progress of the Gaganyaan Mission and bestow ‘astronaut wings’ to the astronaut-designates during his visit to Vikram Sarabhai Space Centre. The Gaganyaan Mission is India’s first human space flight program for which extensive preparations are underway at various ISRO centres.
PM Modi will also reveal the names of four test pilots undergoing training for India’s Gaganyaan Mission.
In 2019, ISRO conducted a rigorous selection process to shortlist four candidates from a dozen pilots for a mission. The selection process included testing against high ‘G force’, which was one of the important factors in choosing Air Force pilots for the mission. The selected pilots were of the group captain or wing commander ranks.
In 2020, ISRO confirmed the selection of four candidates but identities were not revealed. The shortlisted pilots were sent to the Gagarin Cosmonaut Training Centre in Russia in 2020 to complete generic space flight training.
Upon their return to India, they underwent various types of training, including aero-medical, fitness, recovery, and survival training, according to sources.
THE FINAL 4 PILOTS LISTED FOR GAGANYAAN MISSION
As per sources, Sukhoi fighter pilot Group Captain Prashanth B. Nair, who hails from Kerala, is among the four selected names, Apart from that, Angad Prathap, Ajit Krishnan and Chauhan (full name not immediately available)–a young test pilot are other three pilots selected for the programme.
They have been training at the astronaut training facility in Bengaluru and have also finished a stint of training in Russia, sources said.
The Indian Navy is also a part of the mission and has been practising the recovery of the crew module.
The Standard Operating Procedures (SoP) for the recovery of the crew and crew module have been finalized and successfully demonstrated during recent trials, sources added.
PM TO INAUGURATE 3 TECHNICAL FACILITIES OF ISRO
The three major technical facilities of ISRO that will be inaugurated by PM Modi include the ‘PSLV Integration Facility’ at Satish Dhawan Space Centre in Sriharikota; ‘Semi-cryogenics Integrated Engine and Stage Test Facility’ at ISRO Propulsion Complex at Mahendragiri; and ‘Trisonic Wind Tunnel’ at VSSC.
The PSLV Integration Facility (PIF) at the Satish Dhawan Space Centre will help boost the frequency of PSLV launches from 6 to 15 per year, according to an official statement issued by the Prime Minister’s Office (PMO).
This state-of-the-art facility can also cater to the launches of SSLV and other small launch vehicles designed by private space companies.
The new ‘Semi-cryogenics Integrated Engine and Stage Test Facility’ at IPRC Mahendragiri will enable the development of semi-cryogenic engines and stages which will increase the payload capability of the present launch vehicles, as per the PMO.
