International Desk

India’s Prime Minister Narendra Modi Tuesday (27 Feb) made public the names of four astronauts in the country’s first manned mission to space which is expected to be launched next year.

The human space mission “Gaganyaan” will be the Indian Space Research Organisation’s first crewed mission to low-earth orbit (400 km above the earth).

Prashanth Balakrishnan Nair, (Group Captain) Angad Prathap, Ajit Krishnan, and Shubanshu Shukla have been selected as the astronauts on the first crewed mission to space. All of them are either Wing Commanders or Group Captains in the Indian Air Force (IAF).

Modi came out with the announcement while visiting the Vikram Sarabhai Space Centre in Thiruvananthapuram, Kerala.

The Gaganyaan mission is aimed at demonstrating India’s human spaceflight capability by launching astronauts into space for a three-day mission and bringing them back to the earth safely with a landing in Indian sea waters.

The first crewed mission of the Gaganyaan programme is scheduled to be launched in 2025, India’s Minister of Science and Technology Jitendra Singh announced in February this year.

Modi said the four Gaganyaan astronauts are not just four names or human beings but “are the four powers that will take the aspirations of 140 crore Indians to space. An Indian is going to space, after 40 years. This time, the time is ours, the countdown is ours and the rocket is ours.”

“These are not just four individuals, they are inspiration for all youth of our nation,” he added.

Modi said India in the 21st century is emerging as a dynamic global player, showcasing significant developmental strides across sectors.

He said it was a matter of pride that most components used in the Gaganyaan mission are made in India.