Defence Minister Rajnath Singh hailed the Gaganyaan mission as a “new chapter” in India’s journey toward self-reliance under the Atmanirbhar Bharat initiative, celebrating the nation’s strides in space exploration. Speaking at a felicitation ceremony hosted by the Indian Air Force at Subroto Park, New Delhi today, Singh honored the four selected Gaganyatris—Group Captain Prasanth Balakrishnan Nair, Group Captain Ajit Krishnan, Group Captain Angad Pratap, and Wing Commander Shubhanshu Shukla—calling them “gems” of the nation.

The event followed the successful Axiom 4 mission, in which Shukla participated, marking a significant milestone for India’s space program. The Gaganyaan project, announced by Prime Minister Narendra Modi in 2018, aims to launch a three-member crewed mission into a 400 km orbit for a three-day duration by 2027. The astronauts’ identities were first disclosed by Modi during his visit to the Vikram Sarabhai Space Centre (VSSC) in Thiruvananthapuram in February 2024.

Singh emphasized that the mission embodies India’s technological prowess and ambition to become a global leader in space exploration, reinforcing the nation’s commitment to self-reliant innovation. The Gaganyaan project is poised to elevate India’s stature in the global space community, with the selected Gaganyatris at the forefront of this historic endeavor.

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