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Time of India
25-05-2025
- Science
- Time of India
Astronaut, IISc prof pitch for back-up control for safer re-entry
BENGALURU: Isro astronaut Group Captain Angad Pratap and Assistant Professor Jishnu Keshavan from IISc, are in the final phases of their research to demonstrate the viability of a manual control system as an additional safety measure during the critical atmospheric re-entry phase of a manned spacecraft returning to Earth. The re-entry phase involves complex aerodynamics and narrow margins for error. Too steep an entry could lead to excessive heating, while too shallow a path risks the capsule skipping off the atmosphere. Pratap and Keshavan's research focuses on a possible scenario of a failure in the primary automatic Navigation, Guidance and Control (NGC) system of a crew module during re-entry. To address this, the team explored whether an astronaut could manually guide the spacecraft in such conditions with support from a partially degraded NGC system. Their system is not being designed to replace the primary NGC architecture but to complement it. The objective of automated guidance during re-entry is to ensure accurate tracking of a predefined reference trajectory all the way to touchdown. This requires designing a guidance law capable of countering potential disturbances that could otherwise alter the spacecraft's descent profile and cause deviations from the intended landing point—an outcome that must be avoided in practice. As per the abstract of their research presented at the recently concluded Global Space Exploration Conference (GLEX-2025), to mitigate this possibility, the study explored the feasibility of incorporating 'a novel bank-angle based manual control scheme in a manned spacecraft during re-entry in the atmospheric altitudes of 120km - 10 km'. 'Bank-angle manipulation' used here is the same fundamental principle employed by automated systems, but adapted for human operation, as per the abstract titled 'Robust Manual Guidance Law For Manned Spacecraft Re-Entry Applications'. Using sophisticated 6-DOF (six degree-of-freedom) modelling incorporating both translational and rotational dynamics, researchers demonstrated that human pilots could successfully guide a representative manned spacecraft from re-entry altitude to parachute deployment while maintaining all critical parameters within safe limits. Manual mode is proposed as an additional backup to the multiple chains of automated modes of reentry control in case of the flight profile either exceeding predefined perturbation models, or identical failure across all automated control chains. Incorporating this additional degree of manual redundancy may enhance mission reliability for the crew capsule. The manual control scheme was explored from the standpoint of guiding the manned spacecraft manually from a predefined reentry altitude to the terminal altitude thus guaranteeing subsequent touchdown at the predefined target location. The study describes the design and testing of a 'reduced-order' flight display and manual control setup intended for emergency use. Drawing from operational precedents such as Nasa's Apollo missions, the system provides a pilot with essential information through an intuitive interface. This would allow the crew to steer the capsule towards a pre-designated landing area, even in the absence of automated controls.
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
Business Standard
12-05-2025
- Politics
- Business Standard
India affirms its growing prominence as Space power in global arena
India affirmed its growing prominence as Space power in global arena as Union Minister of State (Independent Charge) for Science and Technology; Earth Sciences and Minister of State for PMO, Department of Atomic Energy, Department of Space, Personnel, Public Grievances and Pensions, Jitendra Singh addressed the Global Space Exploration Conference (GLEX 2025) at Bharat Mandapam, according to a latest official update. The high-profile summit, themed "Reaching New Worlds: A Space Exploration Renaissance," brought together space leaders, astronauts, and scientists from across the globe, with participation of more than 35 countries and international agencies, reinforcing India's role at the forefront of space diplomacy and innovation. Organized jointly by the International Astronautical Federation (IAF), the Indian Space Research Organization (ISRO), and the Astronautical Society of India (ASI), the three-day summit is hosting over 240 interactive presentations across 10 parallel technical sessions, spanning 15 critical thematic areas. Jitendra Singh underscored India's transition from being a follower in space exploration to becoming a global enabler. India is now collaborating as an equal partner with some of the leading space-faring nations. This is a testimony to our scientific capability, visionary leadership, and commitment to peaceful space cooperation, he noted. He also added that India's space journey, which began with humble beginnings, has evolved into a source of inspiration for developing countries.
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
