Who Are Four “Fantastic” Astronauts Set For Historic Gaganyaan Mission

After nearly five years shrouded in secrecy, India proudly revealed its “Fantastic Four” – the highly-anticipated crew of astronaut-designates for Gaganyaan, the nation’s first human spaceflight mission.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi made the thrilling announcement on February 27th, 2024, during a visit to the Vikram Sarabhai Space Centre in Thiruvananthapuram.

The Indian Air Force (IAF) takes center stage, as all four chosen candidates – Group Captains Prasanth Balakrishnan Nair, Ajit Krishnan, and Angad Pratap, along with Wing Commander Shubhanshu Shukla – boast impressive resumes boasting between 2,000 and 3,000 flying hours each.

These exceptional individuals stand on the precipice of history, poised to become the first Indians to journey to space aboard a domestically developed spacecraft launching from Indian soil.

Equipped with the invaluable knowledge and experience gained from a year-long training program at Russia’s Gagarin Research & Test Cosmonaut Training Center, the astronaut-designates are primed for this momentous mission.

While only three will ultimately embark on the spaceflight, the fourth will play a critical role as a backup crew member, ensuring mission readiness.

Let’s meet the “Fantastic Four”:

Group Captain Prasanth Balakrishnan Nair: This recipient of the prestigious Sword of Honour at the Air Force Academy boasts over 3,000 flying hours, expertly piloting various aircraft, including the Su-30 MKI and MiG-21.

Group Captain Ajit Krishnan: Another recipient of distinguished awards, he has nearly 2,900 flying hours under his belt, encompassing diverse aircraft like the Su-30 MKI and Jaguar.

Group Captain Angad Pratap: Commissioned in 2004, he brings approximately 2,000 flying hours across various aircraft to the table, including the Su-30 MKI and MiG-21.

Wing Commander Shubhanshu Shukla: A fighter combat leader and test pilot with around 2,000 flying hours, his experience spans across the Su-30 MKI and MiG-21, among others.

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