ISRO selects 4 IAF pilots selected for historic 2024 moon mission

ISRO has designated 4 skilled test pilots from the IAF to expand its 2024 moon mission. Building on the success of the Chandrayaan-3 lunar mission, ISRO Chairman S. Somanath outlined the organization's vision for sending Indian astronauts to the moon by 2040.

The selected pilots are currently undergoing mission-specific training at the Astronaut Training Facility (ATF) in Bengaluru, marking a significant step towards India's ambitious Gaganyaan program, aiming to launch a crew into Low Earth Orbit (LEO) for a three-day mission.

The Gaganyaan mission encompasses critical technologies, including a human-rated launch vehicle (HLVM3), an Orbital Module with a Crew Module (CM) and Service Module (SM), and life support systems. Preceded by uncrewed missions, air-drop tests, and pad abort tests, the manned mission is expected in 2025, showcasing India's dedication to advancing space exploration capabilities.

Somanath emphasized ongoing projects such as the Small Satellite Launch Vehicle (SSLV), Reusable Launch Vehicle (RLV) program, X-ray astronomy mission XPOSAT, Space Docking Experiment, and the development of LOX-Methane engines. These initiatives signify a transformative phase in India's space exploration, propelling the nation toward new heights in scientific progress and technological innovation.