(Image source from: ISRO)
India's goals for human space travel are moving into a new stage as the Indian Space Research Organisation (Isro) starts the process of picking a second group of astronauts for its major human spaceflight initiative, the Gaganyaan mission. This indicates a change from selecting a crew just once to establishing an ongoing human spaceflight program. This new step is also notable because the Indian space agency intends to include civilians with education in Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (Stem) in the astronaut selection. India has big plans to send astronauts into space, create a space station, and land people on the Moon by 2040. Achieving these aims will need a consistent group of astronauts to choose from, including enough backup crews in case of any health, technical, or physical issues.
The first group of astronauts was chosen in 2020 through a very tough selection process. Only Indian Air Force (IAF) test pilots were considered, each having flown jets for 800 to 1,000 hours. This strict requirement greatly reduced the number of eligible candidates, ensuring only those with exceptional flying skills could apply, as India is aiming to send humans into orbit for the first time. After being shortlisted, candidates went through several rounds of medical checks at the Institute of Aerospace Medicine, which tested their fitness in tough conditions. Then they faced two phases of psychological assessments to gauge their mental strength, choices under pressure, and ability to work alone.
The final four astronauts chosen were sent to Russia for advanced training, where they completed more evaluations and mission prep with the Russian space agency, Roscosmos. This training included exercises in survival, zero-gravity experiences, and learning about spacecraft systems. Now, almost seven years after the original selection process, Isro is broadening its strategy. Officials mention that the second group is likely to include a combination of military members and civilians, marking a significant change from the earlier only-test-pilot approach. The new group may have around 10 astronauts, which could feature six mission pilots from military aviation and four specialists in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (Stem). The goal is to develop a wider range of talents to support long-term missions and future space station projects. Isro still needs to specify whether the military pilots will only be IAF test pilots or if it will also include officers from helicopter and transport divisions of military aviation.
A focused group for choosing and managing astronauts, made up of Isro officials and current astronaut members, is currently figuring out how the new process will work. This involves setting eligibility guidelines, creating training programs, and developing assessment systems. The existing astronauts, including Air Commodore P Balakrishnan Nair, Group Captain Shubhanshu Shukla, Angad Pratap, and Ajit Krishnan, have various tasks such as building necessary facilities, crafting a training program, and improving procedures for the next group, all while they get ready for their first mission, which has been postponed for now. One significant challenge is adapting global standards to fit Indian circumstances. Organizations like Nasa and the European Space Agency usually require candidates to have pilot licenses for even non-pilot positions.
Senior members from Isro who talked to IndiaToday.in, while wanting to remain unnamed, admit that getting those licenses in India can be very costly, which might restrict opportunities for skilled individuals. Therefore, the agency is looking into other options to ensure everyone has a chance without lowering quality. "We need to find a way to keep up international standards while making the process more open, and we are considering how civilians can receive basic flying training," one unnamed official commented. Even with these adjustments, certain standards will still be essential. Medical and psychological tests will remain just as strict as they were, whether candidates are from military or civilian backgrounds. Officials emphasize that human space travel requires outstanding physical health and strong mental resilience.
Isro will also have financial considerations to manage, such as salaries for astronauts, setting up living spaces, training sites, and necessary rules, especially if civilians are included. Everything must be fully organized before bringing in the new group. The facilities for the current astronaut trainees are still being built, which may delay the selection process for the next group. Officials are optimistic that once the first unmanned mission launches, the process will speed up and more people will apply. Nonetheless, Isro has not yet disclosed a specific date for the initial unmanned launch of the Gaganyaan Mission. Here’s the latest news about the test flight. As India gears up for its first human space mission, the next stage of astronaut selection shows a larger goal, not only to explore space but also to create a lasting human presence beyond our planet.
