PM Narendra Modi announces the names of Gaganyaan Mission astronauts during ISRO facility review.

The Prime Minister recently awarded astronaut wings to four individuals selected for a space flight during an event at the Vikram Sarabhai Space Centre in Thiruvananthapuram. The human space flight mission aims to launch a three-member crew into a Low Earth Orbit and bring them back after three days. The chosen astronauts have undergone rigorous training in both technical knowledge and physical fitness to ensure their well-being during the mission. During the event, the Prime Minister emphasized the significance of the four selected individuals, stating that they will carry the aspirations of 140 crore Indians to space.

He also highlighted the historic nature of the upcoming mission, noting that it has been 40 years since an Indian went to space and that this time, the timing, countdown, and rocket all belong to India. The Prime Minister also referenced Wing Commander Rakesh Sharma’s historic space mission in 1984 as part of a Soviet mission. He expressed confidence that the Gaganyaan mission would elevate India’s space sector, particularly at a time when the country is poised to become the world’s third-largest economy. Additionally, he acknowledged the crucial role of women scientists in the space technology sector, emphasizing that missions like Chandrayaan and Gaganyaan are unimaginable without their contributions.