Indian Astronauts Start Training At NASA For Aviation Program To ISS

NASA will train ISRO astronauts (photo: Doc. ISRO)

JAKARTA The Indian Space Research Organization (ISRO) announced that its two astronauts will start training in the US in the near future. These two astronauts will be trained for flight missions to the space station. The space agency said that the two astronauts selected to train at NASA's Johnson Space Center were Shubhanshu Shukla and Prasanth Baskrishnan Nair. Although there are two, only one astronaut will fly to the International Space Station (ISS). Shukla was selected as the crew of Axiom Mission 4 (Ax-4) driven by Axiom Space, while Nair would be a backup. If Shukla had problems or circumstances that made him unable to fly, Nair would replace Shukla's role. "(astronauts) are recommended to start their training for the mission starting the first week of August 2024," ISRO said through its official website. While joining the Ax-4 mission, Shukla and other crews will conduct scientific research and various experiments for technological demonstrations. Astronauts' duties will be related to space-aching activities.

"The experience gained during this mission will be beneficial for India's Human Space Program and will also strengthen human spaceflight cooperation between ISRO and NASA," explained ISRO. ISRO astronaut training at NASA facilities is part of a collaboration between India and the US. In June last year, Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi met with US President Joe Biden agreed to conduct joint research on the ISS. This research agreement in space was only agreed on June 17 after US and Indian diplomats met in New Delhi. The two countries completed a Strategic Framework for Human Space Flight Cooperation.