ISRO-NASA Collaboration: Indian Astronauts Finish First Phase of ISS Mission Prep

Group Captain Shubhanshu Shukla and Group Captain Prasanth Balakrishnan Nair, the two Indian astronauts selected for the Axiom-4 mission to the International Space Station (ISS), have successfully concluded their initial training phase, the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) announced.

The astronauts, collectively known as the Gaganyatris, began their training in the United States in August 2024 as part of a collaborative mission between ISRO and NASA. Group Captain Shukla is the prime astronaut for the mission, with Group Captain Nair serving as his backup.

The initial training phase included mission orientations, ground facility tours, SpaceX suit fittings, and familiarization with space food, the SpaceX Dragon spacecraft, and key ISS systems. The program also emphasized emergency preparedness, covering medical scenarios, and routine operations such as communication protocols and space photography.

The next stages of training will focus on operations aboard the US Orbital Segment of the ISS, advanced mission scenarios, and scientific research in microgravity. The astronauts will also undergo further simulations involving the SpaceX Dragon spacecraft.

This mission represents a significant milestone in the ISRO-NASA partnership. Science and Technology Minister Jitendra Singh previously suggested that an Indian astronaut could participate in an ISS mission as early as April next year.