India names Air Force pilots for first Gaganyaan space mission in 2025: India has revealed the four Air Force pilots shortlisted for its maiden space flight scheduled for next year under the Gaganyaan mission, aiming to send three astronauts to an orbit of 400km and return them safely after three days.
The Indian Space Research Organisation (Isro) has been conducting various tests to prepare for the flight, including a crucial test in October that demonstrated the crew’s ability to safely escape the rocket in case of malfunction. Following this success, Isro announced plans for a test flight with a robot in 2024, followed by a manned mission in 2025.
India names Air Force pilots for first Gaganyaan space mission in 2025
During a ceremony at the Isro centre in Thiruvananthapuram on Tuesday, the four astronaut-designates were hailed as “dreamers, adventurers, and valiant men preparing to go into space”.
Gaganyaan Mission 2025 Crew:
| Name | Designation |
|---|---|
| Group Captain Prashanth Balakrishnan Nair | Indian Air Force |
| Group Captain Ajit Krishnan | Indian Air Force |
| Group Captain Angad Pratap | Indian Air Force |
| Wing Commander Shubhanshu Shukla | Indian Air Force |
Prime Minister Narendra Modi, along with Isro chief S Somanath, pinned badges with golden wings onto their shirts, emphasizing their role as “India’s pride”. Modi expressed his admiration, stating, “These are not just four names or four people. They are four powers who will carry the aspirations of 1.4 billion Indians to space. I congratulate and wish them all the best.”
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Officials stated that the selected individuals underwent rigorous physical and psychological testing from a pool of Air Force pilots. After being shortlisted, they completed 13 months of intensive training in Russia and continue their demanding regimen in India.
