The Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) has announced its astronaut-designates for the highly anticipated Indo-US mission to the International Space Station (ISS). Group Captain Shubhanshu Shukla has been named as the prime astronaut, while Group Captain Prashanth Balakrishnan Nair has been designated as the backup astronaut.
After touching the sky with glory, it’s time for the #IAF to touch space with glory. Group Captain Shubhanshu Shukla and Group Captain Prasanth Balakrishnan Nair are chosen for the upcoming Indo-US Axiom-4 mission to the ISS. The prime astronaut, Group Captain Shukla, is an… pic.twitter.com/MpO7Vrfd4b
— Indian Air Force (@IAF_MCC) August 3, 2024
Both Shukla and Nair are distinguished members of the Indian Air Force. This development follows ISRO’s Human Space Flight Centre (HSFC) finalizing a Space Flight Agreement with Axiom Space, a prominent US-based space infrastructure developer. As part of the Axiom-4 mission, Shukla will serve as the primary mission pilot, with Nair as the backup pilot.
Born in Lucknow, Uttar Pradesh, on October 10, 1985, Shubhanshu Shukla has had an illustrious career. An alumnus of the National Defence Academy, Shukla was commissioned into the IAF’s fighter stream on June 17, 2006. Shukla has accumulated around 2,000 hours of flying experience on various aircraft including the Sukhoi-30MKI, Mig-21, Mig-29, An-32, Dornier, Hawk, and Jaguar. At 39, he becomes the youngest astronaut-designate selected for this mission.
Prashanth Balakrishnan Nair, the backup astronaut, was born in Thiruvazhiyad, Kerala, on August 26, 1976. An alumnus of the National Defence Academy and a recipient of the Sword of Honour at the Air Force Academy, Nair was commissioned into the fighter stream on December 19, 1998. With around 3,000 hours of flying experience and the distinction of being a flying instructor, Nair’s extensive background makes him a critical asset to the mission.
The Axiom Mission-4, slated for launch in October 2024, represents a significant private spaceflight endeavor to the ISS, operated by Axiom Space. Supported by the SpaceX Crew Dragon spacecraft, the mission will launch from the Kennedy Space Centre in Florida aboard a Falcon 9 launcher. The mission is expected to last 14 days, building on the successes of Axiom-1, Axiom-2, and Axiom-3.
