NEW DELHI: In a first step for India’s Gaganyaan mission, Group Captain Shubhanshu Shukla and Group Captain Prasanth Balakrishnan Nair are set to undergo advanced astronaut training at Axiom Space and NASA's Kennedy Space Center, as well as SpaceX recently had a thorough tour of Axiom's facility in Houston, Texas.

The tour was led by former NASA astronaut Peggy Whitson, who now works with Axiom Space, and the trainee astronauts were shown around the facility and familiarised with the International Space Station (ISS) where they will land next year. This training marks a significant step forward in India's aspirations for human spaceflight, with the pair being integral to the nation's first crewed mission, scheduled for 2025.

The Ax-4 mission will be commanded by Whitson and also includes Shukla, who will serve as the pilot for the mission, along with mission specialists Slawosz Uznanski (from Poland) and Tibor Kapu (from Hungary) while Nair has been reserved as the backup astronaut.

Shukla and Nair were selected after a rigorous selection process that evaluated their technical proficiency, leadership abilities, and physical fitness. Both officers bring a wealth of experience from their distinguished careers in the Indian Air Force, and their training at Axiom Space and NASA's Kennedy Space Center will involve comprehensive modules covering spacecraft operations, life support systems, and extravehicular activities (spacewalks).

During their training, the astronauts will also have the opportunity to work with SpaceX, known for its innovative approach to space travel. This collaboration will provide them with insights into the latest technologies in crewed spaceflight, including the operation of the Crew Dragon spacecraft, which is a critical component of NASA’s Commercial Crew Program.