Prime Minister Narendra Modi revealed the names of the astronauts selected for India’s Gaganyaan mission on February 27 and outlined ambitious space goals for the country. During his address at the Vikram Sarabhai Space Centre (VSSC), PM Modi declared that India will have its own space station.
In addition to the Gaganyaan mission, PM Modi expressed India’s commitment to another lunar exploration, promising to bring back samples from the Moon’s surface. He also disclosed ISRO’s plans for Venus exploration, showcasing the country’s expanding presence in space exploration.
PM Modi highlighted the significance of the four astronaut-designates for the Gaganyaan program, stating that they represent not only four individuals but four “Shaktiyaan” (powers) carrying the aspirations of 140 crore Indians into space. Emphasizing the self-reliance of India’s space endeavors, he mentioned that the countdown, time, and rocket are all indigenous.
With an optimistic outlook, PM Modi declared that after a 40-year gap, an Indian astronaut is poised to go to space, referencing Rakesh Sharma’s 1984 space mission.However, this time, India controls the entire process from the countdown to the launch vehicle, symbolizing the nation’s advancements in space exploration.
