ISRO Video Unveils Gaganyaan Astronauts’ Intense Training: From Yoga Mats to Centrifuges

The Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) has released a captivating video that provides a glimpse into the intense training regimen of astronauts preparing for the Gaganyaan mission, India’s first human spaceflight program.

This video sheds light on the comprehensive preparations underway to send Indian astronauts into space. The training includes zero-gravity simulations and various exercises essential for the rigors of space travel.

Four officers from the Indian Air Force—Group Captain Prashanth Balakrishnan, Group Captain Ajith Krishnan, Group Captain Angad Pratap, and Group Captain Shubhanshu Shukla—are undergoing specialized training, including sessions in a human centrifuge. This training helps them withstand the extreme gravitational forces experienced during a space launch.

National Space Day – 2024

🇮🇳 Jai Hind…
A testament to Aatmanirbhar Bharat#NSpD2024 @DrJitendraSingh pic.twitter.com/jRuogExFi2

— ISRO (@isro) August 15, 2024

In a significant development, two of these astronauts have been selected for the Axiom-4 mission to the International Space Station (ISS). Group Captain Shubhanshu Shukla and Group Captain Prashanth Balakrishnan are currently in the United States, receiving advanced training for this mission, which is scheduled for no earlier than October 2024. While Shubhanshu Shukla serves as the primary astronaut for the mission, Prashanth Balakrishnan will be the backup.

The Axiom-4 mission, a joint effort between ISRO, NASA, and Axiom Space, is the fourth private astronaut mission organized by NASA and Axiom Space. The mission aims to dock with the ISS for a two-week stay, during which the Indian astronauts will participate in scientific research and educational activities.

The specialized training in the US focuses on familiarizing the astronauts with ISS modules and protocols, as well as mastering the systems of the SpaceX Crew Dragon spacecraft.

This collaboration highlights the strengthening ties between India and the United States in space exploration and underscores India’s commitment to advancing its human spaceflight capabilities. The Gaganyaan program is expected to launch its first crewed mission after 2025, marking a major milestone in India’s space journey.