Srinagar, Feb 27: The Indian Air Force (IAF) has announced the selection of pilots to spearhead the Gaganyaan Mission, marking India's maiden voyage into human space flight.
Among the selected pilots are Gp Capt Prasanth Balakrishnan Nair, Gp Capt Ajit Krishnan, Gp Capt Angad Pratap, and Wg Cdr Shubhanshu Shukla, all accomplished alumni of the National Defence Academy (NDA). These pilots bring a wealth of experience and expertise to the table, with extensive flying hours and a diverse range of aircraft under their belts.
Gp Capt Prasanth Balakrishnan Nair, hailing from Thiruvazhiyad, Kerala, stands out as a Cat A Flying Instructor and Test Pilot with a commendable 3000 hours of flying experience. His leadership as the former commander of a premier fighter squadron adds to his credentials.
Gp Capt Ajit Krishnan, born in Chennai, Tamil Nadu, boasts a prestigious accolade of receiving the President’s Gold Medal and Sword of Honour at the Air Force Academy. With nearly 2900 hours of flying experience, including various fighter aircraft, his expertise is invaluable to the mission.
Gp Capt Angad Pratap, a Flying Instructor and Test Pilot, brings his skills honed through approximately 2000 hours of flying across different aircraft types, contributing to the mission's success.
Wg Cdr Shubhanshu Shukla, originating from Lucknow, Uttar Pradesh, serves as a Fighter Combat Leader and Test Pilot, showcasing his proficiency with over 2000 hours of flying diverse aircraft.
The selection of these highly trained and decorated pilots underscores India's commitment to achieving milestones in space exploration. With their expertise, the Gaganyaan Mission is poised to make history as it embarks on its journey into low Earth orbit.
Comments are closed.