Bengaluru: ISRO announced on Friday that its Human Space Flight Centre has signed a space flight agreement with Axiom Space Inc., USA, for the Axiom-4 mission to the International Space Station (ISS). This mission marks a significant step in the Indian Human Space Programme.
The National Mission Assignment Board has recommended Group Captain Shubhanshu Shukla as the prime mission pilot and Group Captain Prasanth Balakrishnan Nair as the backup pilot for the mission. Their final approval to fly will be granted by the Multilateral Crew Operations Panel (MCOP). Both pilots referred to as “gaganyatris,” will begin their training in the first week of August 2024.
During the Axiom-4 mission, the gaganyatris will conduct scientific research and technology demonstrations on the ISS and participate in space outreach activities. This mission is expected to provide valuable experience for India’s space program and enhance collaborative efforts between ISRO and NASA.
The collaboration builds on the joint statement issued by ISRO and NASA in June 2023, during Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s official visit to the USA, which envisioned a joint ISRO-NASA mission to the ISS.
