NEW DELHI: Isro chairman S Somanath has announced that a Gaganyatri, who will be sent to the International Space Station (ISS) as part of a recent partnership with Nasa and US space company Axiom, will be “conducting five experiments,” some of which have been developed in India and will be onboard Axiom-Mission 4.
During an online interaction with citizens, Somanath said, “We will also conduct some international experiments in collaboration with other space agencies, which are currently under discussion and at development stages.”
He further elaborated that when an Indian astronaut goes to the ISS, the objective is not just limited to experiments but also encompasses the entire process of learning.“A Gaganyatri flying to the ISS will help us understand how India should prepare for Gaganyaan. When the astronaut experiences the flight, we can learn from how they conduct the mission and how the spacecraft docks with the ISS. Working with an international crew already stationed there will provide us with valuable knowledge. The prime astronaut on this mission will also receive training on how to conduct the mission,” the Isro chief added.
Nasa will be launching IAF Group Captain Shubhanshu Shukla as India’s Gaganyatri to the ISS. Welcoming the move, Nasa administrator Bill Nelson posted on X: “Congratulations, ISRO. We look forward to welcoming the first ISRO astronaut to the International Space Station! This is a monumental step forward for the US-India partnership in space.”
“The experiences gained during this mission will be beneficial for the Indian Human Space Programme and will also strengthen human spaceflight cooperation between ISRO and Nasa,” the Indian space agency stated.
Meanwhile, Group Captain Shubhanshu Shukla’s family in Lucknow is elated after hearing about his selection for the ISS trip. His father, Shambhu Dayal Shukla, a retired govt officer, said the family is not nervous about the expedition but filled with pride. His mother, Asha Shukla, described Shubhanshu, their youngest child, as “cool-minded” and someone who handles every situation calmly.
“Initially, I was resistant to his joining the armed forces and hoped he would pursue a civil service career. But when he was selected [for the armed forces], I didn’t object. When we received the news [of his selection for the ISS mission], nothing could match that moment. When the PM presented him with the astronaut badge, it was an unforgettable experience,” his father told mediapersons.
During an online interaction with citizens, Somanath said, “We will also conduct some international experiments in collaboration with other space agencies, which are currently under discussion and at development stages.”
He further elaborated that when an Indian astronaut goes to the ISS, the objective is not just limited to experiments but also encompasses the entire process of learning.“A Gaganyatri flying to the ISS will help us understand how India should prepare for Gaganyaan. When the astronaut experiences the flight, we can learn from how they conduct the mission and how the spacecraft docks with the ISS. Working with an international crew already stationed there will provide us with valuable knowledge. The prime astronaut on this mission will also receive training on how to conduct the mission,” the Isro chief added.
Nasa will be launching IAF Group Captain Shubhanshu Shukla as India’s Gaganyatri to the ISS. Welcoming the move, Nasa administrator Bill Nelson posted on X: “Congratulations, ISRO. We look forward to welcoming the first ISRO astronaut to the International Space Station! This is a monumental step forward for the US-India partnership in space.”
“The experiences gained during this mission will be beneficial for the Indian Human Space Programme and will also strengthen human spaceflight cooperation between ISRO and Nasa,” the Indian space agency stated.
Meanwhile, Group Captain Shubhanshu Shukla’s family in Lucknow is elated after hearing about his selection for the ISS trip. His father, Shambhu Dayal Shukla, a retired govt officer, said the family is not nervous about the expedition but filled with pride. His mother, Asha Shukla, described Shubhanshu, their youngest child, as “cool-minded” and someone who handles every situation calmly.
“Initially, I was resistant to his joining the armed forces and hoped he would pursue a civil service career. But when he was selected [for the armed forces], I didn’t object. When we received the news [of his selection for the ISS mission], nothing could match that moment. When the PM presented him with the astronaut badge, it was an unforgettable experience,” his father told mediapersons.