The latest updates reveal that four pilots from the Indian Air Force (IAF) have been chosen to train as candidate-astronauts for India’s maiden manned mission, Gaganyaan. These hopefuls have initiated their training program at the well-renowned Gagarin Research and Test Cosmonaut Training Centre (GCTC) located in Moscow, Russia.
Collaboration with Russia for Astronaut Training
In June 2019, the Indian Space Research Organisation’s (ISRO) Human Space Flight Centre inked a collaborative agreement with Glavkosmos, a government-owned entity of Russia. The collaboration aims to support the selection of astronaut candidates, their medical assessments and space training.
Comprehensive Study of Soyuz Manned Spacecraft
One of the important aspects of the training involves the candidates studying the intricate systems of the Soyuz manned spacecraft. This Russian spacecraft has a stellar record of transporting people and supplies to the space station, forming a critical part of their training.
Experience of Short-term Weightlessness
The pilots will not only learn about spacecraft but also undergo training in experiencing short-term weightlessness. The IAF pilots will be trained aboard the Il-76MDK aircraft, a military transport plane specifically designed for parabolic flights to facilitate space tourists and trainee astronauts.
Training for Emergency Situations
Exceptional emphasis will be placed on training the candidates to navigate through emergency situations. For instance, they will be prepared to take the necessary steps in case the spacecraft makes unplanned landings in unfamiliar climate and geographic zones.
About Gaganyaan Mission
Gaganyaan is the name of the Rs. 10,000 crore human space flight venture slated for 2022 by India. The ambitious project aims to send 3-7 crew members aboard for a space sojourn spanning 3-7 days while traveling in a 400-km orbit around Earth.
Gaganyaan’s Preparatory Flights
In preparation for the actual mission, two pre-Gaganyaan flights will be launched, with the first one expected to take place towards the end of 2020. These flights will carry a humanoid along with selected microgravity experiments from a shortlist of six. These preparatory flights provide an opportunity to test and validate various aspects of the mission before it is finally executed in 2022.
This venture marks a significant milestone in India’s space exploration journey, firmly placing it on the global stage of international space research. The focused training and preparation of the crew underlines the attention to detail and commitment to safety and success that ISRO brings to this historic endeavor.
