The Gaganyaan Mission: Astronauts' Training and Rakesh Sharma Connection

New Delhi: The four astronauts chosen for India's first human space flight programme, Gaganyaan, underwent training at Russia's Yuri Gagarin Cosmonaut Training Centre.

This centre was also where Rakesh Sharma, the first Indian in space, received training in 1984.

Situated around 30 kilometres north of Moscow, the Gagarin Cosmonaut Training Centre (GCTC) offers advanced training facilities and integrated simulators.

Comprehensive Training at GCTC

The GCTC, located in Star City, provides astronauts not only with technical training through cutting-edge simulators but also equips them with crucial survival skills. Training includes preparedness for various landing scenarios such as mountains, woodlands, marshes, deserts, Arctic regions, and sea landings.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi Unveils Gaganyaan Astronauts

Prime Minister Narendra Modi, currently on a visit to Kerala, disclosed the names of the four Indian Air Force pilots selected for the Gaganyaan mission.

The astronauts are Group Captain Prashanth Nair, Group Captain Ajit Krishnan, Group Captain Angad Pratap, and Wing Commander Shubhanshu Shukla.

All four underwent training at the Yuri Gagarin Cosmonaut Training Centre in Russia.

'Astronaut Wings' Ceremony at Vikram Sarabhai Space Centre
During his Kerala visit, Prime Minister Modi reviewed the progress of the Gaganyaan mission at the Vikram Sarabhai Space Centre. He bestowed 'astronaut wings' upon the selected astronauts, emphasizing the monumental strides in India's space exploration endeavours.