New Delhi: NASA has selected Indian Air Forces Group Captain Shubhanshu Shukla for a mission to the International Space Station (ISS), as announced by ISRO on Friday. Through a Space Flight Agreement with Axiom Space, ISROs Human Space Flight Centre has secured spots for two Indian pilots on the upcoming Axiom-4 mission. Group Captain Shukla will serve as the primary mission pilot, while Group Captain Prasanth Balakrishnan Nair will be the backup pilot, marking a significant milestone in Indias space exploration endeavors.The training of the two selected officers, dubbed Gaganyaatri, is scheduled to commence in the first week of August, marking a significant milestone in their preparation for the mission.Scientific research and outreach in spaceDuring their ISS mission, the officers will undertake diverse activities, including conducting scientific research, demonstrating cutting-edge technologies, and engaging in outreach initiatives, ultimately enhancing Indias footprint in space exploration.Last year, four test pilots from the Air Force were selected for the Gaganyaan mission, and their primary training began at ISROs Astronaut Training Facility in Bengaluru, laying the groundwork for this ambitious program.The Gaganyaan mission is a flagship program aimed at demonstrating Indias capabilities in human spaceflight. The mission entails launching a crew of three into a 400 km orbit for a three-day mission, culminating in a safe return to Earth, with the crew splashing down in Indian waters.Who is group captain Shubhanshu ShuklaGroup Captain Shubhanshu Shukla, born in the historic city of Lucknow, embarked on his Indian Air Force journey nearly two decades ago at the esteemed National Defence Academy, where he underwent rigorous military training.According to his elder sister, Shuklas inspiration to join the armed forces stemmed from the courageous stories of Indian soldiers during the 1999 Kargil War. He was just 14 years old when the conflict began, sparked by Pakistani intruders crossing the Line of Control (LoC) and occupying Indian posts.
