IAF Begins Selection Process For 10 Potential Crew Members Of India’s Maiden Manned Space Mission ‘Gaganyaan’

The preparations for the India’s first manned space mission ‘Gaganyaan’ are on the full swing as the Indian Air Force (IAF) has started the process to select 10 potential crew members for the mission expected to be launched in 2022, reports The Print.

According to the report, the IAF will shortlist 10 potential astronauts, of which three, including a woman, will be selected for the mission.

Bengaluru-based Institute of Aerospace Medicine (IAM) will commence the medical process for the potential candidates, the report cited top defence establishment sources as saying.

“The potential astronauts, including those who have volunteered, will undergo tough medical tests that will be more stringent than that for fighter pilots,” a source was quoted in the report as saying. The source added that the much of the focus in the selection will be on the “psychological prowess” of the candidates.

As per the report, the selection of the candidates, comprising of test pilots and flight engineers, will be a three-stage process.

The initial training for the selected astronauts will be conducted in India, after which they will head abroad for advanced training. India is currently in talks with the United States, Russia and France for the second phase of the training.