India Selects Astronauts for Axiom-4 Mission to the ISS
Context:
India has chosen two astronaut-designates, Group Captain Shubhanshu Shukla and Group Captain Prasanth Balakrishnan Nair for the Axiom-4 mission to the International Space Station (ISS).
More on News:
- The two officers are among four astronaut-designates selected for India’s Gaganyaan mission, the country’s first crewed spaceflight.
- It aligns with the India-U.S. joint statement during the Indian Prime Minister’s state visit to the U.S. in June 2023, which envisions a joint ISRO-NASA effort to the ISS.
Key Highlights:
- ISRO’s Human Space Flight Centre (HSFC) has signed a Space Flight Agreement (SFA) with NASA-identified service provider Axiom Space Inc. for the Axiom-4 mission.
- The assigned crew members will be finally approved by the Multilateral Crew Operations Panel (MCOP).
- The recommended Gaganyatris will commence their training for the mission in the first week of August 2024.
- This mission marks India’s first achievement in international manned space missions and also reflects its growing strength in space technology and global cooperation.
Axiom-4 Mission Mission Duration: Objective: Significance: 
Future Implications:
- India’s participation in the Axiom-4 mission is a precursor to future ambitions, including the Gaganyaan mission.
- ISRO’s ongoing projects like Chandrayaan-3, Aditya-L1, and potential missions to Venus underscore India’s commitment to exploring and understanding the universe.
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International Space Station (ISS)
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