Indian astronauts to soon train at NASA Johnson Space Center
Space News ,India :- Four decades after Indian Air Force Pilot and Astronaut Rakesh Sharma embarked on a historic space journey through the Soviet Interkosmos program, India is gearing up for a new chapter in space exploration. In a significant development, Indian astronauts are set to undergo training for a mission to the International Space Station (ISS), led by the United States. Anticipated to take place in 2024, this expedition aims to provide hands-on learning experiences, laying the groundwork for India ambitious venture named "Gaganyaan," which envisions sending its astronauts into space and ensuring their safe return.
Kicking off the New Year with the successful launch mission PSLV-C58/XPoSat, Dr. S Somanath, the head of the Indian space agency, declared 2024 as the year of Gaganyaan preparedness. "Our goal is to execute the astronaut mission by the end of 2025, and to achieve that, we must overcome several milestones," he stated. The initial steps involve three unmanned flights, serving as full rehearsals for the Human spaceflight mission but without actual astronauts. In 2024, two such unmanned missions are scheduled, and success in these endeavors is crucial.
In these unmanned missions, the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) will deploy "Vyommitra," a humanoid robot developed by the ISRO Inertial Systems Unit (IISU). This AI-equipped humanoid, along with onboard computers and an array of sensors, will provide ISRO with valuable insights into the conditions within the astronaut-carrying capsule during its journey to and from space.
Having tested the Crew Escape System in October 2023, ISRO plans to conduct three more tests under varying conditions, ensuring the safe ejection of the crew capsule in case of mid-flight failures. Additionally, helicopter-drop tests of the crew-carrying capsule and a Pad-abort test, ejecting the capsule in case of a launchpad mishap, are on the agenda for 2024. Amidst these activities, ISRO will also maintain its routine launch missions for operational rockets (SSLV, PSLV, GSLV, and LVM3) while concurrently advancing key technologies linked to the Gaganyaan mission.
Over the past years, Indian Air Force pilots, selected as astronaut candidates, completed initial training at Russia Gagarin Cosmonaut Training Centre. Upon returning to India, they underwent theoretical and practical sessions at ISRO centers and the Indian Air Force Institute of Aerospace Medicine. As integral members of the Gaganyaan team, they contribute to the design and development of the crew-carrying capsule. In Bengaluru Human Spaceflight Centre, simulator training and physical training have been ongoing.
Regarding the commencement of the U.S. phase of training for Indian astronauts, Dr. Somanath expressed that it would happen soon. NASA, as per the India-U.S. arrangement, will sponsor a seat in a private launch to the ISS. Indian astronauts will undergo training at NASA Johnson Space Centre in Houston, Texas, known as the Hub of Human Spaceflight. This collaboration, announced in June 2022, aligns with the broader Indo-U.S. Space Cooperation initiatives highlighted in the joint statement by Prime Minister Modi and President Biden.
Despite the exciting developments, the identities of the four Indian astronaut candidates remain undisclosed, leaving the nation eagerly awaiting more details. The path to Gaganyaan realization is paved with challenges, milestones, and international collaborations, marking India determined stride toward broader participation in space exploration.
