Indian Group Captains Selected for Pioneering Indo-US ISS Mission

ISRO announced that Group Captains Shubhanshu Shukla and Prasanth Balakrishnan Nair have been selected for an Indo-US mission to the ISS. Axiom Space Inc recommended them, and they will start training in August 2024. This collaboration with NASA will advance India's human space program.

Group Captains Shubhanshu Shukla and Prasanth Balakrishnan Nair have been selected for a significant Indo-US mission to the International Space Station (ISS), the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) announced on Friday.

Based on the recommendation from NASA-identified service provider Axiom Space Inc, ISRO has recruited these experienced aviators for the mission.

The ISRO Human Space Flight Centre has entered a space flight agreement with Axiom Space Inc for this fourth mission to the ISS. The National Mission Assignment Board has recommended Group Captain Shukla as the prime candidate and Group Captain Nair as his backup.

The approval of the assigned crewmembers to fly to the ISS will be given by the Multilateral Crew Operations Panel (MCOP). Their training is set to begin in the first week of August 2024, according to ISRO.

During the mission, the gaganyatris will perform selected scientific research and technology demonstration experiments aboard the ISS and engage in space outreach activities.

The experiences gained will significantly benefit India's Human Space Programme and enhance human space flight cooperation between ISRO and NASA.

This mission signifies ongoing collaboration between India and the US, as highlighted by American President Joe Biden after his meeting with Prime Minister Narendra Modi in Washington last year.