All four astronauts were bestowed with astronaut wings by Prime Minister Modi during his address at the Vikram Sarabhai Space Centre (VSSC) in Thumba, near the capital city of Kerala. Prashanth Balakrishnan Nair, Group Captain Angad Prathap, Ajit Krishnan, and Shubanshu Shukla have been chosen as astronauts for India's inaugural crewed space mission. All of them hold esteemed positions as either wing commanders or group captains in the Indian Air Force (IAF) and boast extensive experience as test pilots. This background equips them with the necessary skills to promptly respond to any unforeseen challenges during the mission.
In his remarks, PM Modi highlighted that these astronaut designates represent not just individuals but the collective space aspirations of India's 1.4 billion citizens. He underscored the significance of India's return to human spaceflight after more than 40 years, emphasizing that this time, every aspect—from the launchpad to the rocket and countdown—will be domestically developed and operated.
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