PM Modi announces names of 4 astronauts for Gaganyaan

PTC News Desk: Prime Minister Narendra Modi unveiled the identities of the four distinguished astronauts who will be pivotal figures in India's groundbreaking Gaganyaan mission during an extensive review of the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) in New Delhi. Expressing pride in India's burgeoning stature in the global arena, particularly in space exploration, Modi emphasised the significance of this mission in bolstering India's position on the world stage.

In a momentous ceremony held at the Vikram Sarabhai Space Centre in Thiruvananthapuram, the Prime Minister bestowed astronaut wings upon the chosen quartet, symbolising their crucial role in advancing India's space endeavours. The four astronaut-designates, namely Group Captain Prasanth Balakrishnan Nair, Group Captain Ajit Krishnan, Group Captain Angad Pratap, and Wing Commander Shubhanshu Shukla, have been meticulously selected to spearhead the Gaganyaan mission, marking a monumental leap in India's space exploration odyssey.

Central to the Gaganyaan mission's objectives is the launch of a three-member crew into a Low Earth Orbit, with a subsequent return after a three-day duration. The selected astronauts have undergone rigorous training encompassing technical acumen and physical conditioning to ensure their robustness and well-being throughout the mission's duration.

Modi underscored the profound significance of this mission, portraying the four astronauts not merely as individuals but as embodiments of the aspirations of India's vast populace. He articulated, "These are not just four names or four people. These are four powers who will take the aspirations of 140 crore Indians to space." Drawing a poignant parallel with India's previous foray into space through Wing Commander Rakesh Sharma's historic mission in 1984, Modi heralded a new era wherein India commands the time, the countdown, and the rocket itself.

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Furthermore, Modi articulated the pivotal role that the Gaganyaan mission plays in propelling India's space sector to unprecedented heights, particularly as India gears up to emerge as the world's third-largest economy. In a nod to the indispensable contributions of women scientists in the space technology domain, Modi extolled the prowess of "India's Nari Shakti," emphasising their indispensable role in missions such as Chandrayaan and Gaganyaan, underscoring that such endeavors are inconceivable without their invaluable contributions.

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(Inputs from agencies)