Training first Indian astronaut in 40 years to handle emergencies.

Two Indian astronaut-designates, Group Captains Shubhanshu Shukla and Prashanth Balakrishnan Nair, are currently undergoing training in the US for the upcoming Axiom Space Ax-4 mission. Shukla has been assigned for the mission, while Nair serves as the backup candidate.

This mission, set to launch from the Kennedy Space Center in Florida, will be India’s second human spaceflight sponsored by the government in the last four decades. Peggy Whitson, the mission commander, mentioned that Shukla will assist in essential spacecraft operations and microgravity experiments.

Whitson highlighted the extensive training Shukla is receiving in technical and operational aspects of spacecraft to ensure smooth integration with ISS and focus on astronaut health during missions. The team has been preparing through simulations, mockups, and launch site operations.

This mission will mark India, Poland, and Hungary’s return to human spaceflight and will be each nation’s first-ever mission to the space station, representing the second government-sponsored human spaceflight mission in over 40 years.