BENGALURU: In an online talk Friday, the first such for any of the four astronaut-designates of the Gaganyaan programme since their selection, Group Captain Angad Pratap said that as India’s human spaceflight programme evolves, the astronaut pool would become more diverse and that aspirants should internalise that there are no personal glories to be sought but only science milestones.
Isro chairman S Somanath, in an exclusive interview to TOI on Friday, said that the space agency has already discussed the need for more astronauts with the Indian Air Force (IAF) and that the process would be initiated at a suitable time. IAF’s Institute of Aerospace Medicine (IAM) in Bengaluru screened and selected the first batch of Gaganyaan astronauts and will be involved in creating the larger pool too.
Pratap, delivering a talk on ‘who can become an astronaut’ offered insights into the rigorous selection process and training regimen for India’s future space explorers.
While giving a disclaimer that he isn’t involved in making policies for future astronaut selection, Pratap emphasised that Isro is particularly interested in candidates from experimental domains and those involved in direct aerospace research.
“Any research work that can address the current challenges faced by Isro in its technical pursuits will certainly get preference,” he said. As the programme evolves, Prathap predicts a shift in the selection pool. While early batches may predominantly consist of military aviators and researchers, future selections are likely to diversify.
No personal glory
Likening the process to cricket, Pratap described the first batch of astronauts as “openers” or pioneers. “…For the coming decade, they will form the first era of astronauts. These individuals must navigate uncertainties and exhibit patience as the programme develops,” he said.
He stressed that becoming an astronaut is a commitment to space research and science, not about fame or simply experiencing a space ride. “The only thing one needs to do is love science. Do science and become science,” he advised aspiring astronauts.
“…Remember, your choice to become an astronaut is always for science and it’s not about you…It can never be about celebrity status. But for those who wish to become an astronaut purely to go to space and get a view of the Earth or those who wish to get a kick out of it thinking they are the best, maybe this field is not for them. If someone joins the astronauts corp for such reasons, he or she may not last more than a few years. There’s no personal glory to seek, there are only milestones for the cause of science to seek,” he said.
Comprehensive training
Pratap said the Gaganyaan training programme is comprehensive, covering six key verticals: core academics, physical fitness, aviation skills, psychology, survival skills, and miscellaneous skills. He said astronauts undergo 3-5 hours of daily physical training, including yoga and supervised nutrition.
They must also master space theory, participate in simulator sessions, and engage with scientists. Aeromedical training is highlighted as a critical component of the Astronaut Training School (ATS). Survival training in various environments — snow, desert, and sea — is also mandatory.
Pratap outlined several core qualities required for aspiring astronauts: honesty and integrity, excellent stress management skills, ability to handle rejection, gratitude for the collective effort behind space missions, sustained focus and discipline, and maturity, humility, and groundedness.
On whether any of the four astronaut-designates has been shortlisted to be part of the first Gaganyaan crewed flight, Somanath told TOI: “There will be a process to identify which one of the four will go as part of Gaganyaan, once we have the maturity in terms of the programme. As of now, we are yet to even demonstrate uncrewed missions, we need to do three of them. Once they are done, the health and other parameters of the four astronaut-designates will be reassessed and the committee will choose. All four will be eligible for selection.”