Intro to Gaganyaan
Gaganyaan project envisages a demonstration of human spaceflight capability by launching a crew of 3 members to an orbit of 400 km for a 3 days mission and bringing them back safely to earth, by landing in Indian sea waters.
The project is accomplished through an optimal strategy by considering inhouse expertise, experience of Indian industry, intellectual capabilities of Indian academia & research institutions along with cutting edge technologies available with international agencies. The pre-requisites for Gaganyaan mission include development of many critical technologies including human rated launch vehicle for carrying crew safely to space, Life Support System to provide an earth like environment to crew in space, crew emergency escape provision and evolving crew management aspects for training, recovery and rehabilitation of crew.
Various precursor missions are planned for demonstrating the Technology Preparedness Levels before carrying out the actual Human Space Flight mission. These demonstrator missions include Integrated Air Drop Test (IADT), Pad Abort Test (PAT) and Test Vehicle (TV) flights. Safety and reliability of all systems will be proven in unmanned missions preceding manned mission. (Source: ISRO)
ISRO’s Astronauts for Gaganyaan
Group Captain Prasanth Balakrishnan Nair
- Date of Birth: August 26, 1976
- Place of Birth: Thiruvazhiyad, Kerala
- Alma Mater: National Defence Academy
- Awards: Sword of Honour at the Air Force Academy
Career Highlights:
- Commissioned: December 19, 1998, in the fighter stream of the Indian Air Force (IAF).
- Flying Experience: Approximately 3,000 hours
- Flying Qualifications: Cat-A flying instructor, Test Pilot
- Aircraft Flown: Su-30 MKI, MiG-21, MiG-29, Hawk, Dornier, An-32, etc.
- Military Education:
- United States Staff College
- Defence Services Staff College (DSSC), Wellington
- Flight Instructor School (FIS), Tambaram
Command Experience:
- Commanded a premier fighter squadron equipped with Su-30 aircraft.
Table: Summary of Information
| Attribute | Details |
|---|---|
| Full Name | Group Captain Prasanth Balakrishnan Nair |
| Date of Birth | August 26, 1976 |
| Place of Birth | Thiruvazhiyad, Kerala |
| Alma Mater | National Defence Academy |
| Awards | Sword of Honour at the Air Force Academy |
| Commissioned | December 19, 1998, in the fighter stream of the IAF |
| Flying Experience | Approximately 3,000 hours |
| Flying Qualifications | Cat-A flying instructor, Test Pilot |
| Aircraft Flown | Su-30 MKI, MiG-21, MiG-29, Hawk, Dornier, An-32, etc. |
| Military Education | United States Staff College, DSSC Wellington, FIS Tambaram |
| Command Experience | Commanded a premier fighter squadron equipped with Su-30 |
Group Captain Prasanth Balakrishnan Nair is an accomplished and highly skilled officer with extensive experience in various facets of aviation and military leadership.
Group Captain Ajit Krishnan
- Date of Birth: April 19, 1982
- Place of Birth: Chennai, Tamil Nadu
- Alma Mater: National Defence Academy
- Awards: President’s Gold Medal and Sword of Honour at Air Force Academy
Career Highlights:
- Commissioned: June 21, 2003, in the fighter stream of the Indian Air Force (IAF).
- Flying Experience: Approximately 2,900 hours
- Flying Qualifications: Flying Instructor, Test Pilot
- Aircraft Flown: Su-30 MKI, MiG-21, MiG-29, Jaguar, Dornier, An-32, etc.
- Military Education: Alumnus of Defence Services Staff College (DSSC), Wellington
Table: Summary of Information
| Attribute | Details |
|---|---|
| Full Name | Group Captain Ajit Krishnan |
| Date of Birth | April 19, 1982 |
| Place of Birth | Chennai, Tamil Nadu |
| Alma Mater | National Defence Academy |
| Awards | President’s Gold Medal and Sword of Honour at Air Force Academy |
| Commissioned | June 21, 2003, in the fighter stream of the IAF |
| Flying Experience | Approximately 2,900 hours |
| Flying Qualifications | Flying Instructor, Test Pilot |
| Aircraft Flown | Su-30 MKI, MiG-21, MiG-29, Jaguar, Dornier, An-32, etc. |
| Military Education | Alumnus of Defence Services Staff College (DSSC), Wellington |
Group Captain Ajit Krishnan, born in Chennai, Tamil Nadu, on April 19, 1982, is a distinguished alumnus of the National Defence Academy. Commissioned on June 21, 2003, in the fighter stream of the Indian Air Force (IAF), he has amassed approximately 2,900 hours of flying experience. Krishnan is highly qualified as a flying instructor and test pilot, with a diverse portfolio of aircraft flown, including Su-30 MKI, MiG-21, MiG-29, Jaguar, Dornier, and An-32, among others. He is also recognized for his military education at the Defence Services Staff College (DSSC), Wellington.
Group Captain Angad Pratap
- Date of Birth: July 17, 1982
- Place of Birth: Prayagraj
- Alma Mater: National Defence Academy
- Commissioned: December 18, 2004, in the fighter stream of the Indian Air Force (IAF).
- Flying Experience: Approximately 2,000 hours
- Flying Qualifications: Flying Instructor, Test Pilot
- Aircraft Flown: Su-30 MKI, MiG-21, MiG-29, Jaguar, Hawk, Dornier, An-32
- Military Education: National Defence Academy
Group Captain Angad Pratap, born on July 17, 1982, in Prayagraj, is an esteemed alumnus of the National Defence Academy. Commissioned on December 18, 2004, in the fighter stream of the Indian Air Force (IAF), he has accrued approximately 2,000 hours of flying experience. Pratap is recognized as a skilled flying instructor and test pilot, proficient in operating various aircraft, including the Su-30 MKI, MiG-21, MiG-29, Jaguar, Hawk, Dornier, and An-32. His dedication to service and expertise in aviation highlight his exemplary contributions to the IAF.
Table: Summary of Information
| Attribute | Details |
|---|---|
| Full Name | Group Captain Angad Pratap |
| Date of Birth | July 17, 1982 |
| Place of Birth | Prayagraj |
| Alma Mater | National Defence Academy |
| Commissioned | December 18, 2004, in the fighter stream of the IAF |
| Flying Experience | Approximately 2,000 hours |
| Flying Qualifications | Flying Instructor, Test Pilot |
| Aircraft Flown | Su-30 MKI, MiG-21, MiG-29, Jaguar, Hawk, Dornier, An-32 |
| Military Education | National Defence Academy |
Group Captain Angad Pratap’s expertise and commitment to excellence exemplify the highest standards of professionalism within the Indian Air Force.
Wing Commander Shubhanshu Shukla
- Date of Birth: October 10, 1985
- Place of Birth: Lucknow, Uttar Pradesh
- Alma Mater: National Defence Academy
- Commissioned: June 17, 2006, in the fighter stream of the Indian Air Force (IAF).
- Specializations: Fighter Combat Leader, Test Pilot
- Flying Experience: Approximately 2,000 hours
Aircraft Flown:
- Su-30 MKI
- MiG-21
- MiG-29
- Jaguar
- Hawk
- Dornier
- An-32
Wing Commander Shubhanshu Shukla, born in Lucknow, Uttar Pradesh, on October 10, 1985, is a distinguished alumnus of the National Defence Academy. Commissioned on June 17, 2006, in the fighter stream of the Indian Air Force (IAF), Shukla has garnered significant expertise as a fighter combat leader and a test pilot, accumulating approximately 2,000 hours of flying experience. His proficiency extends across a diverse range of aircraft, including the Su-30 MKI, MiG-21, MiG-29, Jaguar, Hawk, Dornier, and An-32.
Table: Summary of Information
| Attribute | Details |
|---|---|
| Full Name | Wing Commander Shubhanshu Shukla |
| Date of Birth | October 10, 1985 |
| Place of Birth | Lucknow, Uttar Pradesh |
| Alma Mater | National Defence Academy |
| Commissioned | June 17, 2006, in the fighter stream of the IAF |
| Specializations | Fighter Combat Leader, Test Pilot |
| Flying Experience | Approximately 2,000 hours |
| Aircraft Flown | Su-30 MKI, MiG-21, MiG-29, Jaguar, Hawk, Dornier, An-32 |
Wing Commander Shubhanshu Shukla’s exemplary service and proficiency in piloting various aircraft make him a valuable asset to the Indian Air Force.
