Excelsior Correspondent
NEW DELHI, Mar 19: Of the four astronauts undergoing rigorous training for the upcoming human Space mission “Gaganyaan”, one of them Group Captain Shubhanshu Shukla has been selected to accompany the mission to the International Space Station, while others remain in an intensive preparatory phase for “Gaganyaan” mission.
Replying to a question addressed to the Prime Minister, this announcement was made in the Lok Sabha today by Union Minister Dr Jitendra Singh. He asserted that India’s space ambitions are set to reach new heights in reply to a question , while revealing crucial details about the upcoming Chandrayaan-4 mission. The mission, which will feature multiple advanced docking technology and lunar sample collection, is poised to be a major step toward India’s goal of establishing its own space station by 2040.
Dr Jitendra Singh began his statement by sharing with the House that Sunita Williams had landed back on the surface of Earth this morning at 3:27 am after spending more than 300 days in Space. “Our message of congratulations was put out by the social media soon thereafter around 4.00 am in the morning, defining it ‘as a moment of glory, pride and relief”, he said.
The Minister referred to PM Narendra Modi’s letter to Sunita Williams in which he had conveyed his good wishes and extended her invitation to visit India. He also recalled that when Sunita came to India last time in 2007 , she had met Modi who was the then Chief Minister of Gujarat.
Dr. Jitendra Singh highlighted the importance of Chandrayaan-4 in strengthening India’s space capabilities. “This mission will not just be about landing on the Moon but also about mastering docking and undocking procedures, a key requirement for future interplanetary missions and space station operations,” he said. The Minister further noted that India’s long-term objective includes sending an Indian astronaut to the Moon, with Chandrayaan-4 serving as a precursor to that historic feat.
The mission will involve two launch vehicles carrying five components in total. These modules will execute complex manoeuvres, including docking in Earth’s orbit before proceeding to the Moon. Upon reaching lunar orbit, the modules will separate, with the descender collecting samples while the ascender returns to dock with the remaining modules. The return module will then make its way back to Earth, simulating key aspects of crewed lunar missions.
Additionally, he addressed queries about India’s first human spaceflight mission, Gaganyaan, confirming that the selected four astronauts are undergoing rigorous training. While one astronaut, Group Captain Shukla, was selected to participate in a mission to the International Space Station, the others remained in an intensive preparatory phase to ensure mission success.
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