Culmination of Training of Gaganyaatris for Joint ISRO-NASA Mission to International Space Station

By R Anil Kumar

• The Gaganyaan mission aims to send Indian astronauts into low Earth orbit, with the first crewed flight planned for 2025. The current focus is on the Axiom-4 mission, which will involve astronaut Group Captain Shubhanshu Shukla flying to the ISS as India’s Gaganyaatri, with Group Captain Prasanth Nair serving as backup

• This mission is part of a broader partnership established during Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s visit to the US in June 2023, which included a “Strategic Framework for Human Spaceflight Cooperation” between ISRO and NASA

US, November 30. The initial phase of training for the Gaganyaatris, the Indian astronauts selected for the joint ISRO-NASA mission to the International Space Station (ISS), has reached a significant milestone. This mission marks a crucial step in India’s human spaceflight programme, Gaganyaan, and involves extensive collaboration between Indian and American space agencies.

Towards the goal of accomplishing a joint ISRO-NASA effort to the International Space Station, the two Gaganyatris (Prime-Group Captain Shubhanshu Shukla and Backup-Group Captain Prasanth Balakrishnan Nair) assigned for Axiom Mission 4 (Ax-4) commenced their training in the USA from first week of August, 2024. The initial phase of training has been completed successfully by the Gaganyatris.

During this phase of training, the Gaganyatris have completed initial orientations for mission-related ground facility tours, initial overview of mission launch phases, SpaceX suit fit checks, and selected space food options.

Furthermore, the training also included familiarization sessions with the SpaceX Dragon spacecraft and various onboard systems of the International Space Station, including photography from space, daily operations routine, and communication protocols. One of the important highlights of this phase was training for various types of emergencies in space, including medical emergencies.

Medical Emergency Training

Upcoming training will primarily address the remaining modules of the US Orbital Segment of the space station along with training towards conducting scientific research experiments in microgravity environment during the mission. In addition, the crew will train and perform different mission scenarios in the SpaceX Dragon spacecraft.

The Gaganyaan mission aims to send Indian astronauts into low Earth orbit, with the first crewed flight planned for 2025. The current focus is on the Axiom-4 mission, which will involve astronaut Group Captain Shubhanshu Shukla flying to the ISS as India’s Gaganyaatri, with Group Captain Prasanth Nair serving as backup. This mission is part of a broader partnership established during Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s visit to the US in June 2023, which included a “Strategic Framework for Human Spaceflight Cooperation” between ISRO and NASA.

The astronauts have undergone rigorous training in various phases:

The four selected astronauts completed their basic training at Russia’s Yuri Gagarin Cosmonaut Training Centre from February 2020 to March 2021. This training covered essential skills for space travel, including survival techniques and physical fitness.

Following their initial training, Group Captain Shubhanshu Shukla and Prasanth Nair began specialized training at NASA’s Johnson Space Centre in Houston, Texas, starting in August 2024. This training focuses on ISS modules and operational protocols necessary for their upcoming mission.

During their time at the ISS, Shubhanshu Shukla will conduct five scientific experiments, some developed in India, while also engaging in outreach activities. The mission aims not only to perform experiments but also to gather valuable insights that will inform future Gaganyaan missions.

The collaboration between ISRO and NASA through this mission is expected to enhance India’s capabilities in human spaceflight. It serves as a learning opportunity for Indian the astronauts to understand international space operations better and prepare for future missions. NASA Administrator Bill Nelson has expressed enthusiasm about this partnership, highlighting its importance for US-India relations in space exploration.

The culmination of the initial phase of training for the Gaganyaatris signifies a pivotal moment in India’s journey toward establishing a robust human spaceflight program. The experiences gained from this mission will be instrumental in shaping the future of India’s ambitious Gaganyaan project.