India Prepares for Historic Gaganyaan Mission: ISRO Shortlists Two Astronauts

In a landmark achievement for India’s space program, the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) has selected two astronauts for the Gaganyaan Mission, set to launch to the International Space Station (ISS) no earlier than October 2024. This mission, in collaboration with NASA, will mark India’s first manned mission to the ISS.

The astronauts will undergo specialized training in the United States on ISS modules and protocols, complementing their extensive preparation in India. The mission, part of NASA’s Axiom-4 project, includes a fourteen-day docking at the ISS, with SpaceX providing transportation and training on the Dragon spacecraft.

This collaboration was solidified during Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s visit to the US, where NASA pledged to support advanced training for Indian astronauts. NASA Administrator Bill Nelson reaffirmed this commitment during his visit to Delhi, highlighting plans to train an Indian astronaut for the ISS mission by late 2024.