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NDTV
a day ago
- Science
- NDTV
"Gaganyaan Just Beginning": Astronaut Angad Pratap On India's Space Future
New Delhi: As India embarks on its ambitious Gaganyaan program, the journey of its astronaut designates offers a glimpse into the nation's future in human spaceflight. Among them is Group Captain Angad Pratap, a fighter pilot and test pilot of the highest order, who shared his experiences and insights into the rigorous training and the promise of India's space endeavours. The journey began in January 2020 when Mr Pratap and three other astronaut designates were selected for the prestigious Gaganyaan program, which is scheduled for launch early in 2027. "It's been a long journey till now. It's been five years. We trained for approximately 14 months at Russia's Yuri Gagarin Cosmonaut Training Centre, a place steeped in history and tradition. We were trained as cosmonauts in the Soyuz spacecraft and we had a bit of format training on the Russian segment of the International Space Station as well." After completing their training in Russia, the astronauts returned to India for another round of training at the astronaut training facility in Bangalore. "We have been trained on the human-rated launch vehicle, the basic theoretical subjects related to astronautics, as well as the Gaganyaan spacecraft," Me Pratap explained. "A portion of which is remaining, which we will restart closer to the mission." Reflecting on his experience at the Russian training school, Mr Pratap described it as "wonderful to begin with because that is a place with five decades of legacy". He noted the significance of training at a facility where astronauts from around the world have honed their skills. "From 2011 till about 2020, all astronauts of the world had to come to Moscow to train, since Soyuz was the only vehicle flying to space back then," he said. Standing beside a scale model of the crew module, Mr Pratap expressed confidence in the development of the actual spacecraft at the Vikram Sarabhai Space Centre and the UR Rao Satellite Centre. "There is no denying the fact that not only me but all the other three astronauts as well-and I can say this for the entire space community-ISRO (Indian Space Research Organisation) has a very big name in the world of space," Mr Pratap added. He cited ISRO's achievements, including the Mars Orbiter Mission and Chandrayaan-3, as examples of the agency's credibility. "There has to be a great level of trust between a space traveller and his agency. Being a test pilot, I'm aware of the kind of testing protocols and how robust they are before a final product is cleared for spaceflight." The astronaut designates have visited major ISRO testing facilities, which Mr Pratap said has been a major confidence booster. "It's worked as a very big confidence-building measure and a boost to our trust in the vehicle." Mr Pratap also expressed satisfaction with the human-rated Launch Vehicle Mark-3, which is nearing completion. "I am more than happy. In aerospace, we don't go for big changes very soon. If a system is already proven and working, you don't change it just for comfort. Changes introduce new failure points." He emphasised that ISRO has wisely chosen to rely on its most robust and tested systems for the Gaganyaan mission. "And when it comes to the GSLV Mk3, or LVM-3, the whole world has immense trust in it. It has an enviable 100 per cent success record." Despite the long wait for a flight assignment, Mr Pratap remains grounded and patient. "Spaceflight takes time. We were awarded our space wings just last year. Globally, astronauts wait five to six years after that. Thomas Pesquet waited almost eight years," he noted. He added, "Anyone who wants to be an astronaut must accept that most of their 15-year astronaut career will be spent on Earth, working for science. It's not just about the flight. It's about patience, training, and character building." Mr Pratap and his fellow astronaut designates continue to keep their training sharp through regular technical meetings with ISRO and occasional flying stints with the Indian Air Force. "We go back to IAF once in a while and fly. Our engagement with ISRO includes regular interaction with designers and hardware developers. So both our piloting and test piloting skills are being maintained." Looking ahead, Mr Pratap is optimistic about India's broader space ambitions. "We need to think as Indians first and consider what we are about to achieve in the next two decades in spaceflight." He praised ISRO's parallel strategy in developing human spacecraft, docking systems, space station modules and lunar return capabilities. "ISRO is building all of this in parallel. The same capability that will bring back lunar samples will one day take humans to the moon and bring them back," he said. With government support and new funding, India is also developing a next-generation heavy-lift launch vehicle. "It's for building bigger space stations in the future. The human space program is expanding, and things are looking good for us." When asked if he might one day go to the moon. Mr Pratap smiled and said, "It's too early to say. But what matters is that the nation progresses. Whether it's me or someone else, we should all be proud." As for Gaganyaan, he remains excited but measured. "Of course, I'm excited. But I'm also controlling my excitement. Let it happen at the right pace. Even if it's delayed by a year or more, what matters is that we have a successful mission."
Time of India
a day ago
- Science
- Time of India
Shubhanshu Shukla set to script history as India's second astronaut in space
India's Shubhanshu Shukla is set for his maiden space flight as part of Axiom Space 's fourth commercial mission to the International Space Station, which is scheduled for lift-off onboard SpaceX's Falcon-9 rocket from the Kennedy Space Centre in Florida on June 8. The launch of the Dragon spacecraft will take place not earlier than 6:41 pm IST from NASA's spaceport in Florida, making Shukla only the second Indian to travel to space four decades after Rakesh Sharma's iconic spaceflight onboard Russia's Soyuz spacecraft in 1984. Besides Shukla, the mission pilot for the Axiom-4 mission, the other crew include Slawosz Uznanski-Wisniewski from Poland and Tibor Kapu from Hungary, marking both European nation's first travel to the International Space Station in history and the second government-sponsored human spaceflight mission in over 40 years. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Gain expertise in Deep Learning & NLP with AI & ML BITS Pilani WILP Apply Now Undo Veteran US astronaut Peggy Whitson will be the commander of the Axiom-4 mission. "I am really, really excited to go into microgravity and experience spaceflight on my own," Shukla, who goes by the nickname 'Shuks', said at a press conference in January. Live Events Once docked, the astronauts plan to spend up to 14 days aboard the orbiting laboratory, conducting science, outreach, and commercial activities. The Ax-4 astronauts will perform around 60 scientific studies and activities representing 31 countries during their 14-day stay at the ISS . Shukla is set to conduct exclusive food and nutrition-related experiments developed under a collaboration between the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) and the Department of Biotechnology (DBT), with support from NASA. The experiments aim to pioneer space nutrition and self-sustaining life support systems vital for future long-duration space travel. ISRO has lined up a set of seven experiments for Shukla, who will also participate in five joint studies planned by NASA for its human research program. It has drawn up plans to focus on India-centric food for carrying out experiments on the ISS, including sprouting methi (Fenugreek) and moong (green gram) in microgravity conditions. Shukla will also expose the seeds to the macrobiotic conditions and bring them back to earth where they will be cultivated in plants not just once but over generations. In January, Shukla said he also planned to capture his experiences on board the ISS through pictures and videos which can be shared with all the "'Bharatvaasis' back home." "I want them to share this thrilling experience through my eyes, for I truly believe that, even as an individual travelling to space, this is the journey of 1.4 billion people," he said. Shukla said he planned to take certain items from different parts of the country with him to the ISS during the 14-day mission and even expressed hope to serve Indian food to astronauts in the orbital laboratory. He said the experience on the Axiom Mission 4 would be very well utilised on the Gaganyaan mission which is planned for 2027. ISRO is spending Rs 550 crore on the Axiom-4 mission.
Hindustan Times
a day ago
- Science
- Hindustan Times
Shubhanshu Shukla set to script history as India's second astronaut in space
New Delhi, India's Shubhanshu Shukla is set for his maiden space flight as part of Axiom Space's fourth commercial mission to the International Space Station, which is scheduled for lift-off onboard SpaceX's Falcon-9 rocket from the Kennedy Space Centre in Florida on June 8. The launch of the Dragon spacecraft will take place not earlier than 6:41 pm IST from NASA's spaceport in Florida, making Shukla only the second Indian to travel to space four decades after Rakesh Sharma's iconic spaceflight onboard Russia's Soyuz spacecraft in 1984. Besides Shukla, the mission pilot for the Axiom-4 mission, the other crew include Slawosz Uznanski-Wisniewski from Poland and Tibor Kapu from Hungary, marking both European nation's first travel to the International Space Station in history and the second government-sponsored human spaceflight mission in over 40 years. Veteran US astronaut Peggy Whitson will be the commander of the Axiom-4 mission. "I am really, really excited to go into microgravity and experience spaceflight on my own," Shukla, who goes by the nickname 'Shuks', said at a press conference in January. Once docked, the astronauts plan to spend up to 14 days aboard the orbiting laboratory, conducting science, outreach, and commercial activities. The Ax-4 astronauts will perform around 60 scientific studies and activities representing 31 countries during their 14-day stay at the ISS. Shukla is set to conduct exclusive food and nutrition-related experiments developed under a collaboration between the Indian Space Research Organisation and the Department of Biotechnology , with support from NASA. The experiments aim to pioneer space nutrition and self-sustaining life support systems vital for future long-duration space travel. ISRO has lined up a set of seven experiments for Shukla, who will also participate in five joint studies planned by NASA for its human research program. It has drawn up plans to focus on India-centric food for carrying out experiments on the ISS, including sprouting methi and moong in microgravity conditions. Shukla will also expose the seeds to the macrobiotic conditions and bring them back to earth where they will be cultivated in plants not just once but over generations. In January, Shukla said he also planned to capture his experiences on board the ISS through pictures and videos which can be shared with all the "'Bharatvaasis' back home." "I want them to share this thrilling experience through my eyes, for I truly believe that, even as an individual travelling to space, this is the journey of 1.4 billion people," he said. Shukla said he planned to take certain items from different parts of the country with him to the ISS during the 14-day mission and even expressed hope to serve Indian food to astronauts in the orbital laboratory. He said the experience on the Axiom Mission 4 would be very well utilised on the Gaganyaan mission which is planned for 2027. ISRO is spending ₹550 crore on the Axiom-4 mission.
NDTV
3 days ago
- Science
- NDTV
"Space May Not Cooperate": Veteran Astronaut's Warning To Shubhanshu Shukla
New Delhi: As India readies to send its second astronaut into space, the international space community is watching with admiration and support. Among those cheering from the sidelines is European Space Agency astronaut Thomas Pesquet, who had spent over a year aboard the International Space Station in 2016-17 and 2021 and has trained alongside India's astronaut-designate Group Captain Shubhanshu Shukla. Will Mr Shukla make a good astronaut, the veteran astronaut was asked. "Oh, I think he will. The four astronaut-designates from India, they are all fantastic people." Mr Pesquet, who met the Indian astronaut corps during their global training rotations, recalled their early interactions with warmth. "I was lucky enough to meet them a while ago. They were having some training in different locations across the world and then I was also training for my second mission and that's how we met. We've been friends ever since," he said. Mr Shukla, a decorated fighter pilot and test pilot, trained at the European Astronaut Centre in Cologne, Germany-home to ESA's astronaut corps. "He came to Cologne, EAC, the home of the European astronauts for training," Mr Pesquet noted. "And if things go well, I'll be at the launch cheering for him." As India prepares to launch the astronaut-designate aboard a SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket and Crew Dragon capsule for a fortnight-long mission to the International Space Station, questions about safety naturally arise. Mr Pesquet, who has flown on both Soyuz and Crew Dragon, gave a reassuring response. "No, it's not too risky," he said. "It's always calculated risk. You have to take some amount of risk to go to space. You know, it's not like sitting on your couch in front of the TV. It's a very different activity. But it's very controlled, it's framed really well by all the engineers and all the work that's been done." He emphasised that while zero risk doesn't exist, the Crew Dragon has proven itself. "There's never zero risk, it doesn't exist. But I think with the experience that the SpaceX engineers have building up on the Crew Dragon, it's more and more safe every day," he added. To Mr Shukla, Mr Pesquet offered heartfelt advice. "Trust your training, because sometimes, it's still an unexpected environment that you haven't been in. So trust your training, like you've been doing your whole life. Do the right thing. Keep calm. If things don't go the way it's expected-its space, you know, it doesn't always cooperate," he said. He encouraged Shukla to savour the experience. "Enjoy the ride. Try to make yourself some good memories. Look at the Earth, take pictures of your activities, of your crewmates, and it's going to go super fast. So be really conscious in trying to imprint those memories on your brain, because you're going to need them when you come back," Mr Pesquet advised. To Prime Minister Narendra Modi and the people of India, Mr Pesquet said, "Be part of the mission. Make sure that Shukla is supported, which I think is the case by the government, by ISRO, by the entire population. It's going to be a huge wave of national pride and hopefully happiness." And finally, to Shukla himself: "I wish you a very safe launch, very safe mission, and a happy landing. Enjoy the memory, and I'll see you soon when you're back on Earth." Mr Shukla will be part of the Axion-4 Mission, that is scheduled for launch on June 8 from NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Florida's Cape Canaveral.
India.com
3 days ago
- Science
- India.com
Rs 85,33,82,00,000 for one suit... this much money will end poverty in Pakistan, the suit is for....
Indian Air Force (IAF) Group Captain Shubhanshu Shukla prepares to join Axiom Space's fourth private astronaut mission to the International Space Station, set to launch on June 8. Shukla is set to become the first astronaut from the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) to visit the station as part of a joint effort between NASA and the Indian space agency. He will also be India's second national astronaut to go to space since 1984. Rakesh Sharma earned the distinction of being the first Indian to go to space on board Russia's Soyuz spacecraft in IAF pilot who is among the astronauts chosen for ISRO's Gaganyaan mission, India's first human space flight, was promoted to group captain in March 2024. He has 2,000 flight hours on various aircraft, including the Su-30 MKI, MiG-21, MiG-29, Jaguar, Hawk, Dornier, and the An-32. Special suits are made for astronauts, which are quite expensive. Going by the media reports, NASA's spacesuits can cost anywhere between 10 million to 22 million dollars, depending on the model and features included. One of the key features of the suits is to protect astronauts from the harsh environment of space. At present, the National Aeronautics and Space Administration is developing the new xEMU suit, which is reportedly slated to cost about 1 billion dollars (around 8,355 crore rupees). Surprisingly, this price is due to the advanced technology used in the suit, designed to keep astronauts safe during long missions. Highlighting an example, the spacesuits used by NASA during the Apollo missions in 1974 were reported to cost between $15 million and $22 million each. If adjusted for inflation, this equates to approximately $83 million to $122 million in today's dollars. One of the key functionalities of the spacesuit is to protect astronauts in extreme conditions: both very hot and very cold. It can function in temperatures ranging from -150°C to +120°C. In addition, the suit protects astronauts from harmful radiation and tiny space debris. Not only for protection, but space suits include systems for oxygen supply, temperature regulation, and carbon dioxide removal. All these features require advanced materials and specialized technology. Therefore, these suits are so expensive. It also protects astronauts from the vacuum of space, as well as harmful radiation from the Sun and other celestial bodies.
