Prime minister Narendra Modi today visited the Indian Space Research Organisation’s (ISRO) Vikram Sarabhai Space Centre (VSSC) where he met the four astronaut-designates of India’s Gaganyaan Mission.

The Indian Air Force (IAF) has revealed the background and credentials of group captains (Gp Capts) Prasanth Balakrishnan Nair, Ajit Krishnan, and Angad Pratap, and wing commander (Wg Cdr) Shubhanshu Shukla.

Team Gaganyaan’s background

Gp Capt Prasanth Balakrishnan Nair

Group captain Nair, born in Kerala’s Thiruvazhiyad on Aug 26, 1976, is an alumnus of the National Defence Academy (NDA) and recipient of Sword of Honour at the Air Force Academy.

Commissioned in the IAF’s fighter stream on Dec 19, 1998, he has flown a variety of aircrafts including Su-30 MKI, MiG-21, MiG-29, Hawk, Dornier, An-32, etc.

A Category-A flying instructor and test pilot with approx 3,000 hrs of flying experience, he has commanded a premier fighter Su-30 squadron.

Group captain Nair is also the alumnus of the United States Staff College and directing staff at the Defence Services Staff College (DSSC), Wellington, and Flying Instructors School (FIS), Tambaram.

Gp Capt Ajit Krishnan

Group captain Krishnan, born in Chennai on Apr 19, 1982, is alumnus of the NDA and recipient of the President’s Gold Medal and Sword of Honour at the Air Force Academy.

Commissioned in the IAF’s fighter stream on June 21, 2003, he too, has flown a variety of aircrafts including Su-30 MKI, MiG-21, MiG-21, Mig-29, Jaguar, Dornier, An-32 etc. 

A flying instructor and test pilot with approx 2,900 hrs of flying experience, he is also alumnus of the DSSC, Wellington.

Gp Capt Angad Pratap

Group captain Pratap was born in Allahabad (now Prayagraj) on July 17, 1982. Alumnus of the NDA, he was commissioned in the IAF’s fighter stream on Dec 18, 2004 and has also flown a variety of aircraft including Su-30 MKI, MiG-21, MiG-29, Jaguar, Hawk, Dornier, An-32 etc.

He is also a flying instructor and test pilot with approx 2,000 hrs of flying experience.

Wg Cdr Shubhanshu Shukla

Wing Commander Shukla was born in Lucknow on Oct 10, 1985. Commissioned on June 17, 2006 in the IAF’s fighter stream, he is a fighter combat leader and test pilot with approx 2,000 hrs of flying experience on a variety of aircraft including Su-30 MKI, MiG-21, MiG-29, Jaguar, Hawk, Dornier, An-32 etc.

PM Modi’s visit at VSSC

The PM reached the VSSC to review Gaganyaan-related activities and went around the centre with the ISRO Chairman S Somanath in tow.

Chairman S Somanath briefed Modi on the various items on display depicting India’s ongoing space programme.

After a brief video show, the four test pilots of India’s Gaganyaan Mission were introduced to the PM and were presented ‘astronaut wings’ by him.

“I am happy that today I got the opportunity to meet these astronauts and present them in front of the country. I want to congratulate them on behalf of the entire country...You are the pride of today’s India,” the PM stated.

Before meeting the four astronauts the Prime Minister dedicated three space infrastructure projects at VSSC to the nation, which include the PSLV Integration Facility (PIF) at the Satish Dhawan Space Centre, Sriharikota. This will help in boosting the frequency of PSLV launches from 6 to 15 per year.

(Source: IANS)

- Edited for style

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