THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Group Captains Prashanth Balakrishnan Nair, Angad Prathap, Ajit Krishnan and Wing Commander Shubanshu Shukla have been selected as astronaut-designates for the Gaganyaan human spaceflight programme, the country’s India's first crewed mission to space. Their names were revealed during the visit of Prime Minister Narendra Modi at the Vikram Sarabhai Space Centre (VSSC) in Thiruvananthapuram on Tuesday. He also gave astronaut wings to the officers.
The astronaut-designates have been giving extensive training in Russia and various centres of ISRO, for the scheduled launch next year. Prashanth is a native of Nenmara in Palakkad. He joined the Air Force as a fighter pilot after his training at National Defence Academy in 1999.
“They are not just 4 names or 4 human beings, they are the four powers that are going to take the aspirations of 140 crore Indians to space. An Indian is going to space, after 40 years. This time, the time is ours, the countdown is ours and the rocket is also ours,” said Modi.
He also said that the country will be a global commercial hub for space operations in the next 10 years.
“We will be going to the moon again. Mars is on our list. By 2030 we will have our space station which will help in our understanding of the space. Our astronauts will be landing on the moon in our space vehicle,” said the Prime Minister.
According to him the youth of the country can showcase their talent to the world with the opening of the space sector through 100% FDI.
The Prime Minister also inaugurated three major projects worth Rs 1800 crore. Modi dedicated the Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle (PSLV) set up at the Satish Dhawan Space Centre at Sriharikota, Semi-cryogenic Integrated Engine and Stage Test Facility (SIET) at Mahendragiri in Tamil Nadu and the Trisonic Wind Tunnel at the VSSC. Modi is the first Prime Minister to visit VSSC since its formation.
PM: India will have own space station by 2035
Highlighting the success of the country in the space programmes, he also spoke about the future possibilities. “India’s space economy will grow five-fold and touch 44 billion dollars in next 10 years. India is becoming a global commercial hub in the field of space. In the coming days, India will once again go to the Moon. Venus is also on the radar. India will have its own space station by 2035,” he said. “In this ‘Amrit Kaal’, an Indian astronaut will land on the Moon in an Indian rocket,” Modi emphasised.
On the policy changes allowing 100% foreign investment in the space sector, the prime minister said the world’s biggest space institutes can now establish themselves in India and provide an opportunity for the youth to showcase their skills.
Modi also inaugurated three major space projects worth Rs 1,800 crore. The projects include the Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle (PSLV) integration facility at the Satish Dhawan Space Centre at Sriharikota, Semi-cryogenic Integrated Engine and Stage Test Facility at Mahendragiri in Tamil Nadu and the Trisonic Wind Tunnel at the VSSC. Modi is the first Prime Minister to visit VSSC since its formation.
Underlining that India’s space sector’s major contribution is sowing the seeds of scientific temperament among the young generations, the PM said the landing of Chandrayaan 2 was a learning experience for every child in the country, while the successful landing of Chandrayaan 3 on August 23 last year filled the youth with new energy. This day is now celebrated as Space Day, he said.
ISRO chairman S Somnath guided the PM to a pavilion showcasing the preparations made by ISRO for the Gaganyaan. Governor Arif Mohammad Khan, Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan and Union Minister of State V Muraleedharan were also present.
“It is a matter of pride for Kerala, which has been contributing to India’s space research field since its infancy, is getting a system that will increase the pace and improve the quality of our space research. This is a great example of Kerala’s excellent support in the overall development of the country. This is also an example of Made in Kerala becoming an integral part of Make in India,” said Pinarayi Vijayan about starting a Trisonic Wind Tunnel at the VSSC.