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Time of India
13-05-2025
- Science
- Time of India
From fighter pilots to face of Gaganyan: Astronaut designates for India's maiden human spaceflight
"I have cast my feet in cement," India's astronaut-designate Angad Pratap jokingly tells his colleague Ajit Krishnan as people queued up to click selfies with the duo at a conference here last week. The selection of Pratap and Krishnan as astronauts-designate, along with Shubhanshu Shukla and Prashanth Nair, for India's maiden human spaceflight project - Gaganyaan - have made them heroes overnight. Shukla is scheduled to travel to the International Space Station as part of the ISRO-NASA joint mission on May 29. Pratap and Krishnan, both fighter pilots with the Indian Air Force , were at the three-day Global Space Exploration Conference (GLEX) organised by the International Astronautical Federation here last week. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like She is Revealing Her Secret Strategy in Commodity Trading TradeWise Learn More Undo Krishnan has rejoined the Indian Air Force after his astronaut training , while Pratap is pursuing his PhD and is on study leave. "Their training will begin again 12 months before the Gaganyaan mission," a senior ISRO official said. Live Events From being fighter pilots in the Indian Air Force, to being the public face of the Gaganyaan project has been a completely new experience for the astronaut designates. "Your life does become a little public. People know you. Yes, but after a certain amount of time, it just subsides and grows on you because you start doing this on a regular basis and it's like a normal activity," Pratap told PTI here. "There are a lot of things that I learn from those interactions. I get to know about the dreams of a lot of people. I get a lot of inspiration from a lot of other people," he said. India's first human spaceflight - Gaganyaan - is expected to be launched early 2027 with ISRO planning to send two astronauts in low earth orbit in a spacecraft for a few days and bring them back to earth safely. The transition from being a test pilot to being an astronaut-designate was "challenging and exciting" for Pratap. "Inside these missions, there are a lot of unexpected events that can take place. Test pilots are used to countering those scenarios because as test pilots, we fly inside unproven aircraft which are just assembled for the first time," said Pratap, who has undergone basic training as an astronaut in Russia as well as the Astronaut Training Centre in Bengaluru. Pratap said the training programme for astronauts was extensive and covered psychological, physical, and behavioral aspects, preparing to cope with the unique challenges of space. "You need to be behaviourally trained on how to give your best in spite of the worst staring in your eyes," he said, referring to the challenges during a spaceflight. Pratap said he was aware that he was representing the hopes of scientists, technicians, engineers, and the countless individuals at ISRO, academic institutes, and supporting industries. "We carry their hopes when we travel to space. When the Prime Minister announced our names as astronaut-designate, it felt like having the responsibility of 1.4 billion on our shoulders," Pratap said. Pratap said his colleague Shubhanshu Shukla will be among the first of the four, who trained as astronauts, to travel on a space mission in a few weeks.
India Today
13-05-2025
- Science
- India Today
Gaganyaan Mission training to resume in 2026, a year before launch
India's much-anticipated Gaganyaan mission, which aims to send its first astronauts into space, is set to resume intensive crew training in 2026, a year ahead of its scheduled launch in early four astronaut-designates-Group Captains Angad Pratap, Ajit Krishnan, Prashanth Nair, and Shubhanshu Shukla-have become national icons as they prepare to make history as India's first crew in the recent Global Space Exploration Conference (GLEX), Pratap and Krishnan, both experienced Indian Air Force fighter pilots, reflected on their transition from military aviators to the public faces of India's space 'Your life does become a little public. People know you. Yes, but after a certain amount of time, it just subsides and grows on you because you start doing this on a regular basis and it's like a normal activity,' Pratap shared, noting the inspiration he draws from public officials confirmed to PTI that the astronauts' mission-specific training will restart 12 months before launch, focusing on advanced simulations, operational readiness, and survival program, conducted at India's Astronaut Training Centre in Bengaluru, builds on their earlier training in Russia and covers psychological, physical, and behavioral aspects crucial for coping with the rigors of spaceflight.'You need to be behaviourally trained on how to give your best in spite of the worst staring in your eyes,' Gp Capt. Pratap Group Captain Shubhanshu Shukla is set to become the first of the four to travel to space, joining a NASA-ISRO joint mission to the International Space Station on May 29. Indian astronaut Shubhanshu Shukla is set to go to space on May 29. (Photo: SpaceX) His participation will provide valuable experience ahead of Gaganyaan's crewed Gaganyaan mission plans to send a three-member crew into low-Earth orbit for several days before safely returning them to Earth. With critical uncrewed test flights scheduled for 2026 and astronaut training ramping up in 2026, India is set to join the elite club of nations with independent human spaceflight Watch
News18
12-05-2025
- Science
- News18
'Best Job On Planet': Gaganyaan Astronaut-Designate Angad Pratap On Carrying A Billion Dreams
Last Updated: 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." top videos View all 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. Watch India Pakistan Breaking News on CNN-News18. Get breaking news, in-depth analysis, and expert perspectives on everything from politics to crime and society. Stay informed with the latest India news only on News18. Download the News18 App to stay updated! tags : Gaganyaan Location : New Delhi, India, India First Published: May 12, 2025, 11:31 IST News india 'Best Job On Planet': Gaganyaan Astronaut-Designate Angad Pratap On Carrying A Billion Dreams | Interview
Indian Express
08-05-2025
- Business
- Indian Express
Isro facing multiple challenges in building Bharatiya Antariksha Station: Director of Human Space Flight Centre
The Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) is facing multiple challenges in its plans towards building the ambitious Bharatiya Antariksha Station (BAS), said DK Singh, director, Human Space Flight Centre. 'There are technical challenges: the long gestation period, the availability of Indian industry expertise and the cost and the returns for a huge project like the BAS. But we are addressing these challenges,' said Singh, during a panel discussion on building space stations at the ongoing Global Space Exploration Conference (GLEX) on Thursday. India has proposed to build the Bharatiya Antariksha Station (BAS) by 2035 with the first module BAS-1 scheduled for a 2028 launch. Speaking to The Indian Express, Singh said, 'The overall aerospace industry in India will need to step up their infrastructure, from manufacturing, developing life support systems among others.' The senior ISRO official further called on the global industries to partner with India for the multiple human space exploration missions planned in the near future. Singh further said that India will make the BAS available for the use of the international space community at affordable costs. 'It will be a space lab, which will facilitate astronauts to undertake experiments, which otherwise cannot be performed on Earth due to its gravity. Life sciences and pharmaceutical sectors have huge scope to perform experiments at BAS. Drug tests can be performed at BAS,' he said. Even though there are efforts underway by multiple private space companies towards building a space station, but the role of governments will continue to remain vital, said Michael Lopez Alegria, veteran NASA astronaut and mission commander of two Axion missions. 'The governments will remain the major partner in building and utilisation of the space station. We need individuals and nations to use the space station,' he said. Thomas Pesquet, astronaut with the European Space Agency (ESA), cited the lack of political will among European nations in getting space activities underway as the biggest challenge. 'In India, there is a strong political will and focused efforts, for example in building the BAS. It is time for Europe to step up,' said Pesquet. The International Space Station, now operating for 24 years, has been the longest serving space stations and has surpassed its mission life. So far, over 700 people have visited space.
Time of India
08-05-2025
- Business
- Time of India
NASA misses its representation at the space summit in Delhi; here's why
The Global Space Exploration Conference 2025 , which was conducted in New Delhi on Wednesday, saw a record attendance, with representatives from thirty-five nations, top space agency officials such as China, Japan, Canada, and Europe, more than 1,700 representatives, and ten astronauts representing different countries or agencies. Yet, something highly crucial was absent from the event—presence from the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA). Operation Sindoor Pahalgam payback continues: Operation Sindoor Day 2 keeps Pakistan on edge Military attack by Pakistan will be met with 'very firm response': S Jaishankar Fake news alert: Government fact checks 'Pak propaganda' on Operation Sindoor The non-attendance by NASA to this prestigious event was under question, particularly in light of the agency's participation history in such events. NASA's missing representation at GLEX 2025 in Delhi The lack of NASA's participation at GLEX 2025, according to the official account, was due to budget reasons. Committee organizers, interviewed anonymously, confirmed that at least a dozen scientists and astronauts from NASA were supposed to participate in the conference. But the failure of the agency to raise funds for accommodation and travel made them unable to attend. This is a big departure from earlier GLEX editions, where NASA had a leading role in deliberations on international space exploration. The failure of NASA to attend can also be attributed to larger political and fiscal changes in the United States. Not long after the swearing-in of Donald Trump this year, his government rolled out a series of budget reductions which have been quite tough on NASA. The proposed budget outlines a 24% reduction in NASA's overall funding, decreasing it from $24.8 billion to $18.8 billion. One aspect of the cuts was the harsh slashing of the fiscal year 2026 budget, and cancelling or delaying certain current space missions, such as the Mars Sample Return mission. These economic challenges have challenged NASA's future and made the agency unable to offer its staff the chance to attend global events such as GLEX. India's historic GLEX 2025 and the consequences of NASA's absence The 2025 GLEX was a historic conference for India as it hosted the conference for the first time ever. The conference had a record number of participants and countries involved, making the record for the global conference. Hosting the event, India, in conjunction with the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO), was a demonstration of how far the country has climbed in stature in the world of space exploration. Not having NASA only stifled the conference from being less of a forum for discussion, collaboration, and innovation in space exploration. NASA Transition Period: Representation Impact One of the insiders from the International Astronautical Federation (IAF) who participated in the planning observed that the no-show by NASA was also attributed to the agency being in a state of transition. This accounted for leadership change and absence of some of the department heads, and thus representation of NASA to the conference was not maximized. These internal reorganizations, along with budgetary issues, caused the agency's failure to attend what would otherwise have been a significant international meeting. NASA's role in space exploration and the consequences of missing GLEX 2025 NASA has been at the forefront of space exploration for a long time, and it has placed itself at the forefront of pathfinder missions and planetary exploration for over a half-century. The agency's involvement in Moon, Mars, and beyond missions has placed it on a high level of prestige within the global space community. Though its absence from GLEX 2025 could have been a financial and logistical burden, NASA's heritage continues to be a critical factor in the future of space exploration. The current fiscal constraints, however, underscore the necessity of continued investment and support for the agency's continued efforts toward global space activities. NASA's no-show at GLEX 2025 is a chilling reminder of prevailing financial and political troubles that affect prime space agencies. Although the success of India in organizing the conference speaks well of India's growing position in space exploration, NASA's absence says volumes about maintaining sustained support and funding towards global space collaborations. With the age of space exploration continuing to unfold, it will become important to tackle the financial and institutional issues that threaten to discourage large space agencies' participation in international discussion forums. Also Read | ISRO performs space 'dogfight' with twin satellites 500km above Earth, showcasing advanced orbital control
