Isro's Human Space Flight Centre enters space flight agreement with Axiom Space
NASA) effort to the International Space Station (ISS), the Human Space Flight Centre (HSFC) of Isro has entered into a Space Flight Agreement (SFA) with NASA-identified service provider Axiom Space, for its upcoming Axiom-4 mission to the ISS.
The India-US joint statement during the official state visit of Prime Minister Narendra Modi to the US in June last year envisioned a joint Isro-NASA effort to the ISS. «A National Mission Assignment Board has recommended two Gaganyatris as prime and backup Mission Pilot for this mission,» Isro said, in a statement on Friday. These are Group Captain Shubhanshu Shukla (Prime) and Group Captain Prasanth Balakrishnan Nair (Backup).
The assigned crew members will be finally approved to fly to the ISS by the Multilateral Crew Operations Panel (MCOP). The recommended Gaganyatris will commence their training for the mission from the first week of August. During the mission, the Gaganyatri will undertake selected scientific research and technology demonstration experiments on board the ISS as well as engage in Space outreach activities.
The Gaganyaan project aims to demonstrate human spaceflight capability by launching a three-member crew to a low earth orbit of 400 km for three days, and bring them back safely, with a planned splashdown in Indian Ocean waters.
«The experiences gained during this mission will be beneficial for the Indian Human Space Programme and it will also strengthen human space flight cooperation between Isro and NASA,» Isro said.
