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India selects prime pilot for NASA-ISRO space mission
The Axiom-4 mission is a significant milestone in the ongoing collaboration between ISRO and the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA).
Group Captain Shubhanshu Shukla. / Image - City Montessori school
The prime pilot for the forthcoming Indian–American space mission to the International Space Station (ISS) has been chosen by the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO).
The selection of Group Captain Shubhanshu Shukla for the mission is the result of a space flight agreement between the Human Space Flight Centre of ISRO and the American spaceflight company Axiom Space Inc. The mission, known as Axiom-4, marks the fourth private astronaut mission to the ISS, conducted in partnership with NASA and SpaceX.
Group Captain Shukla, born on October 10, 1985, in Lucknow, Uttar Pradesh, is an alumnus of the National Defence Academy. He was commissioned into the fighter stream of the Indian Air Force (IAF) on June 17, 2006. With approximately 2,000 hours of flying experience on various aircraft, including the Su-30 MKI and MiG-29, Shukla is a seasoned fighter combat leader and test pilot.
Joining him as a backup pilot is Group Captain Prasanth Balakrishnan Nair from Kerala. An alumnus of the National Defence Academy, Nair was commissioned into the IAF on December 19, 1998, and is a Cat A flying instructor with nearly 3,000 hours of flying experience.
The selected pilots, known as "Gaganyatris," will undergo training for the mission starting in the first week of August 2024. During their time on the ISS, they will conduct scientific research and technology demonstration experiments and engage in space outreach activities.
The mission is expected to benefit the Indian Human Space Program significantly and strengthen the cooperation between ISRO and NASA. It aligns with the joint statement issued by India and the U.S. during Prime Minister Narendra Modi's official state visit to the U.S. in June 2023, which envisioned a collaborative effort in human spaceflight missions.
The Multilateral Crew Operations Panel (MCOP) will give the final approval for the crew members to fly to the ISS. This mission represents a major step forward in India's space exploration capabilities and its collaborative efforts with international space agencies.
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