#Gaganyaan in full swing! ISRO leagues with Russian company to train astronauts
Total Views |
Bengaluru, Jul. 3: ISRO’s ‘Gaganyaan’ mission is taking shape with the efforts and dedication of Indian scientists. The excitement is on the peak because this is the 1st manned mission of India. To make everything precise in the mission, the Indian Space Research Organization has inked a contract with Russian company ‘Glavkosmos’ or selection support, medical examination and space training of Indian astronauts for the country's proposed maiden manned space mission 'Gaganyaan'.
The contract was signed by Glavkosmos' first Deputy Director General Natalia Lokteva and Director of Human Space Flight Centre (HSFC) of ISRO S.Unnikrishnan Nair.
Glavkosmos is a Russian launch service provider and a subsidiary of the state corporation Roscosmos.
As per the statement issued by Glavkosmos, “It would render to HSFC services on consulting support of the selection of candidates for the Indian astronauts, providing medical examination and space flight related training for the astronauts selected”.
Further, the statement added, The work will be provided with the support of the Federal State Budget Organisation- U A Gagarin Research & Test Cosmonaut Training Center and Institute of Biomedical Problems of the Russian Academy of Sciences.
Equipped with new enthusiasm and energy, the ISRO has already set up a Human Space Flight Centre to facilitate the manned voyage involving a three-member crew.
As per the earlier statement by ISRO’s chief, K.Sivan, Gaganyaan' is set for December 2021 launch and is likely to include a woman astronaut, The initial training would be in the country but advanced training might be abroad, maybe in Russia.
ISRO had in May signed an MoU with the Indian Air Force for cooperation in crew selection and training for the Gaganyaan Project. The Union Cabinet gave its positive nod for the Rs 9,023 crore programme in 2018.
In his Independence Day address last year, Modi had announced that the mission would be undertaken by 2022 using ISRO's own capabilities.