BENGALURU: More than a year after PM Narendra Modi, during his official state visit to the US said an Indian astronaut will travel to the International Space Station (ISS) as part of a US mission, Isro has signed a space flight agreement (SFA) with Axiom Space to send Group Cap Prashanth Nair and Group Capt Shubhanshu Shukla on the mission.
Isro’s Human Space Flight Centre (HSFC) of Isro has recommended that Shukla be the prime Mission Pilot, with Nair serving as the backup.The final approval for their flight to the ISS will be given by the Multilateral Crew Operations Panel (MCOP).
Both Nair and Shukla are part of the four astronaut-designates selected for India’s Gaganyaan mission, which proposes to send astronauts to space and bring them back safely. Work on the programme is ongoing.
The agreement with Axiom Space, a Nasa-identified service provider, is for the upcoming Axiom-4 mission to the ISS. “This collaboration follows the joint statement made during PM Modi’s state visit to the US in June 2023, which envisioned a joint Isro-Nasa effort on the ISS,” Isro said on Friday.
“Training for the selected astronauts is set to begin in the first week of August 2024. During their time on the ISS, they will conduct scientific research, technology demonstrations, and engage in space outreach activities. This mission is expected to provide valuable experience for India’s Human Space Program and strengthen space flight cooperation between Isro and Nasa,” Isro said.
The collaboration marks a significant milestone in India’s space exploration efforts and showcases the growing partnership between India and the US in the field of space research and technology.
As the mission progresses, it is likely to generate considerable interest both nationally and internationally, potentially paving the way for future joint ventures in space exploration.
Isro’s Human Space Flight Centre (HSFC) of Isro has recommended that Shukla be the prime Mission Pilot, with Nair serving as the backup.The final approval for their flight to the ISS will be given by the Multilateral Crew Operations Panel (MCOP).
Both Nair and Shukla are part of the four astronaut-designates selected for India’s Gaganyaan mission, which proposes to send astronauts to space and bring them back safely. Work on the programme is ongoing.
The agreement with Axiom Space, a Nasa-identified service provider, is for the upcoming Axiom-4 mission to the ISS. “This collaboration follows the joint statement made during PM Modi’s state visit to the US in June 2023, which envisioned a joint Isro-Nasa effort on the ISS,” Isro said on Friday.
“Training for the selected astronauts is set to begin in the first week of August 2024. During their time on the ISS, they will conduct scientific research, technology demonstrations, and engage in space outreach activities. This mission is expected to provide valuable experience for India’s Human Space Program and strengthen space flight cooperation between Isro and Nasa,” Isro said.
The collaboration marks a significant milestone in India’s space exploration efforts and showcases the growing partnership between India and the US in the field of space research and technology.
As the mission progresses, it is likely to generate considerable interest both nationally and internationally, potentially paving the way for future joint ventures in space exploration.