ISRO Readies Indian Astronaut Shubhanshu Shukla for ISS Mission as Part of NASA Partnership

Over a year after Prime Minister Modi announced an Indian astronaut’s forthcoming mission to the International Space Station (ISS during his visit to the US, ISRO is preparing to send Wing Commander Shubhanshu Shukla on a spaceflight.

This mission is part of a space flight agreement with Axiom Space, a NASA-identified service provider. ISRO’s Human Space Flight Centre has recommended Shukla as the primary mission pilot, with Group Captain Prashanth Nair serving as the backup.

The final approval for the mission will be granted by the multilateral crew operations panel. Both Shukla and Nair are part of the four astronauts-designate selected for India’s Gaganyaan mission, which aims to send Indian astronauts to space. These two astronauts will begin their training for the ISS mission in the first week of August 2024, according to ISRO.

The collaboration with Axiom Space is specifically for the upcoming Axiom-4 mission to the ISS. This initiative follows a joint statement made during PM Modi’s state visit to the US in June 2023, which highlighted an ISRO-NASA partnership focused on the ISS. ISRO announced this collaboration on a recent Friday, emphasizing its significance.

While aboard the ISS, Shubhanshu Shukla, along with other astronauts, will conduct scientific research, technology demonstrations, and space outreach activities. This mission is anticipated to offer valuable experience for India’s Human Space Programme and to enhance spaceflight cooperation between ISRO and NASA. Shukla’s participation will make him the second Indian citizen to travel to space, marking a significant milestone in India’s space exploration efforts.