Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Tuesday revealed names of Gaganyaan astronauts at Vikram Sarabhai Space Centre (VSSC) in Thiruvananthapuram. Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Tuesday said India in the 21st century is emerging as a dynamic global player, showcasing significant developmental strides across sectors
Group Captain P Balakrishnan Nair, Group Captain Ajit Krishnan, Group Captain Angad Pratap and Wing Commander S Shukla will be part of the Gaganyaan mission, PM Modi announced.
PM Modi said, "I was very happy to know that most of the equipment used in Gaganyaan is Made in India. What a great coincidence it is that when India is taking off to become the top 3 economy of the world, at the same time India's Gaganyaan is also going to take our space sector to a new height..." Bestowing 'astronaut wings' to them, the PM said they are four forces that encompass the aspirations of 1.4 billion people of the country. After four decades, an Indian was poised to venture into space and "this time around the countdown, the timing, and even the rocket would be ours", he said.
The PM further said he was proud and happy that most components used in the Gaganyaan human flight mission are made in India.
ALL YOU NEED TO KNOW ABOUT THE ASTRONAUTS
Gp Capt Prasanth Balakrishnan Nair: Gp Capt Prasanth Balakrishnan Nair was born in Thiruvazhiyad, Kerala on August 26 1976. He is alumnus of NDA and recipient of Sword of Honour at Air Force Academy. He was commissioned on 19 Dec 1998 in the fighter stream of IAF. He is a Cat A Flying Instructor and a Test Pilot with approx 3000 hrs of flying experience. He has flown variety of ac including Su-30 MKI, MiG-21, MiG-29, Hawk, Dornier, An-32, etc. He is also the alumnus of United States Staff College and a DS at DSSC, Wellington and FIS, Tambaram. He has commanded a premier fighter Su-30 Sqn.
Gp Capt Ajit Krishnan: Gp Capt Ajit Krishnan was born in Chennai, Tamil Nadu on April 19 1982. He is alumnus of NDA and recipient of President’s Gold Medal and Sword of Honour at Air Force Academy. He was commissioned on 21 Jun 2003 in the fighter stream of IAF. He is Flying Instructor and a Test Pilot with approx 2900 hrs of flying experience. He has flown variety of ac including Su-30 MKI, MiG-21, MiG-21, Mig-29, Jaguar, Dornier, An-32 etc. He is also alumnus of DSSC, Wellington.
Gp Catp Angad Pratap: Gp Capt Angad Pratap was born in Prayagraj on Jul 17, 1982. He is alumnus of NDA and was commissioned on 18 Dec 2004 in the fighter stream of IAF. He is a Flying Instructor and a Test Pilot with approx 2000 hrs of flying experience. He has flown variety of ac including Su-30 MKI, MiG-21, MiG-29, Jaguar, Hawk, Dornier, An-32 etc.
Wg Cdr Shubhanshu Shukla: Wg Cdr Shubhanshu Shukla was born in Lucknow, UP on October 10 1985. He is alumnus of NDA and was commissioned on 17 Jun 2006 in the fighter stream of IAF. He is a Fighter Combat Leader and a Test Pilot with approx 2000 hrs of flying experience. He has flown variety of ac including Su-30 MKI, MiG-21, MiG-29, Jaguar, Hawk, Dornier, An-32 etc.
