'Best Job On Planet': Gaganyaan Astronaut-Designate Angad Pratap On Carrying A Billion Dreams
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Group Captain Angad Pratap reflects on his journey from piloting fighter jets in the Indian Air Force to now training for India's most ambitious space mission yet – Gaganyaan.
'When the opportunity came, I was thrilled to be considered for what I believe is the best job on the planet." For Indian Air Force test pilot Angad Pratap, being named as one of the four astronaut-designates for Gaganyaan was more than just a career milestone, it was the moment he became a symbol of the hopes and dreams of over a billion people.
'The feeling is yet to sink in," he says, on the sidelines of Global Space Exploration Conference (GLEX)-2025 in New Delhi, as he patiently sat and signed autographs for a long queue of enthusiastic people. Children clutching notebooks and youngsters holding out jackets waited eagerly for a chance to meet one of the four men poised to make history for India.
The Indian Space Research Organization has never undertaken a human spaceflight in its five-decade history. So, when Gaganyaan lifts off in 2027, it will mark the first time Indian astronauts venture into space from a home-grown launch pad, aboard an indigenous rocket and return to Earth. Group Captain Pratap, along with Gp Captain Prashanth Balakrishnan Nair, Group Captain Ajeet Krishnan and Group Captain Shubhanshu Shukla are among the four astronaut-designates for the much-anticipated Rs 20,000 crore mission.
Transition from Military Duty to Becoming An Astronaut
'It is challenging, but exciting," he says after a pause. 'Life in the military is tough as such. There are certain qualities that you develop through military service, right from an early age, that have been invaluable in our journey to becoming astronauts. As fighter pilots, we learn a lot about the machines we fly, and how to operate them in combat. We go way deeper – that experience certainly gives us an edge when transitioning to astronautics."
But the uncertainty and vastness of space requires much more – proficiency in multiple disciplines, not just one.
'You have to switch between roles very fast. One day you focus on the study; the next day you push your body through physical training. Add to that psychological and behavioral training. It is a continuous challenge. Simply travelling to space once does not make you an astronaut. Their journey continues well beyond the first mission," he adds matter-of-factly.
The Weight of A Billion Dreams…
For a space-faring nation like India, Gaganyaan marks a pivotal moment – after almost 40 years since Cosmonaut Rakesh Sharma flew into space as the first Indian astronaut aboard a Soyuz spacecraft. There is pressure and expectations.
'I remind myself that I represent all the scientists, technicians, engineers, and the countless individuals at ISRO, academic institutes, and supporting industries. We carry their hopes when we travel to space. I think some of the weight of dreams would be carried by Shuks (Group Captain Shubhanshu Shukla) on his upcoming flight (Axiom Mission-4). I'm really proud and excited for this mission. We have trained together, and it's truly an honour to be on this journey with him, and Gp Captain Nair and Gp Captain Krishnan," he smiles.
Family And Nervous Moments
India plans to send three astronauts into the Low Earth Orbit (LEO) aboard its heaviest launcher LVM Mk3. The target is to position the module in a ~400 km circular orbit around earth for a few days and bring it safely back to Earth.
'When the opportunity came knocking, I was thrilled to be considered for what I believe is the best job on the planet. This journey truly changes you as a person," he says. As for the family's nerves, he says, 'I'm not assigned to a mission yet, but for any astronaut, and their family, the reality hits once you're officially assigned, and you have a set date, and certainty of going. That moment has not come yet."
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Gaganyaan, initially targeted for launch during India's 75th year of independence, is now expected to take off in 2027 – pending the successful completion of three un-crewed and two crewed successful launches in the next two years. The first un-crewed orbital flight is slated to launch later this year.
'Timelines do get stretched a bit, but the four of us have been very lucky. In February 2024, February, we officially completed our training and were awarded the space wings by the Prime Minister. It does not matter which one of us eventually flies into space – what matters is that an Indian is finally going up. This truly marks a turning point for India. It's the way forward. It will open the doors for many others," he signs off.
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New Delhi, India, India
First Published:
May 12, 2025, 11:31 IST
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