Thiruvananthapuram: Prime Minister Narendra Modi bestowed ‘astronaut wings’ to the four astronaut-designates at the Vikram Sarabhai Space Center (VSSC), here today.
The astronaut-designates are Group Captain Prashanth Balakrishnan Nair, Group Captain Ajit Krishnan, Group Captain Angad Pratap and Wing Commander Shubhanshu Shukla.
The Prime Minister called the introduction of the four Gaganyaan passengers, astronaut-designates, as a historic occasion. “They are not just four names or individuals, they are four ‘Shakti’ of carrying the aspirations of 140 crore Indians into space,” he said. “An Indian is going into space after 40 years. However, now, the time, the countdown as well as the rocket belong to us,” he added.
Expressing delight in meeting and introducing the astronaut-designates to the nation, the Prime Minister wished them on behalf of the entire nation. He said that their names have been conjoined with India’s success and they symbolize the trust, courage, valour and discipline of today’s India. He lauded their dedication and spirit towards training and said that they are the representatives of India’s Amrit generation that never gives up and shows the strength to challenge all adversities. Highlighting the need for a healthy body and a healthy mind for this mission, the Prime Minister noted the role of Yoga as part of the training module. “The country’s wishes and blessings are upon you”, PM Modi said. He also conveyed his best wishes to all the staff trainers from ISRO associated with the Gaganyaan project.
The Prime Minister also conveyed some concerns about the celebrity attention to the four astronaut-designates which can create disturbance in their training. He appealed for cooperation with the astronaut-designates and their families so that they continue their training without distraction.
Modi also inaugurated three space infrastructure projects worth around Rs 1800 crores. The projects include the SLV Integration Facility (PIF) at the Satish Dhawan Space Centre, Sriharikota; the new ‘Semi-cryogenics Integrated Engine and Stage Test facility’ at ISRO Propulsion Complex at Mahendragiri; and ‘Trisonic Wind Tunnel’ at the Center.
The PSLV Integration Facility (PIF) at the Satish Dhawan Space Centre, Sriharikota will help in boosting the frequency of PSLV launches from 6 to 15 per year. This state-of-the-art facility can also cater to the launches of SSLV and other small launch vehicles designed by private space companies.
The new ‘Semi-cryogenics Integrated Engine and Stage Test facility’ at IPRC Mahendragiri will enable the development of semi-cryogenic engines and stages which will increase the payload capability of the present launch vehicles. The facility is equipped with liquid Oxygen and kerosene supply systems to test engines up to 200 tons of thrust.
Wind tunnels are essential for aerodynamic testing for the characterisation of rockets and aircraft during flight in the atmospheric regime. The “Trisonic Wind Tunnel” at VSSC being inaugurated is a complex technological system which will serve our future technology development needs.
The Prime Minister also reviewed the progress of the Gaganyaan Mission and was briefed about it. He expressed happiness that most of the equipment in Gaganyaan is Made in India. He said that projects that were dedicated today will lead to new jobs and will raise India’s profile.
“All of you are opening new doors of future possibilities,” Modi told the ISRO team. The Prime Minister said India was becoming a global commercial hub in the field of space, and as per estimates, the country’s space economy will grow five-fold and touch 44 billion dollars in the next 10 years. “In the coming days, India will once again go to the Moon,” he said. He also informed about the new ambition of retrieving samples from the surface of the Moon. He said Venus was also on the radar. He also stated that by 2035 India will have its own space station.
– global bihari bureau
