'Best Job On Planet': Gaganyaan Astronaut-Designate Angad Pratap On Carrying A Billion Dreams
Group Captain Angad Pratap reflects on his journey from piloting fighter jets in the Indian Air Force to now training for India's most ambitious space mission yet – Gaganyaan.
'When the opportunity came, I was thrilled to be considered for what I believe is the best job on the planet." For Indian Air Force test pilot Angad Pratap, being named as one of the four astronaut-designates for Gaganyaan was more than just a career milestone, it was the moment he became a symbol of the hopes and dreams of over a billion people.
'The feeling is yet to sink in," he says, on the sidelines of Global Space Exploration Conference (GLEX)-2025 in New Delhi, as he patiently sat and signed autographs for a long queue of enthusiastic people. Children clutching notebooks and youngsters holding out jackets waited eagerly for a chance to meet one of the four men poised to make history for India.
The Indian Space Research Organization has never undertaken a human spaceflight in its five-decade history. So, when Gaganyaan lifts off in 2027, it will mark the first time Indian astronauts venture into space from a home-grown launch pad, aboard an indigenous rocket and return to Earth. Group Captain Pratap, along with Gp Captain Prashanth Balakrishnan Nair, Group Captain Ajeet Krishnan and Group Captain Shubhanshu Shukla are among the four astronaut-designates for the much-anticipated Rs 20,000 crore mission.
Transition from Military Duty to Becoming An Astronaut
'It is challenging, but exciting," he says after a pause. 'Life in the military is tough as such. There are certain qualities that you develop through military service, right from an early age, that have been invaluable in our journey to becoming astronauts. As fighter pilots, we learn a lot about the machines we fly, and how to operate them in combat. We go way deeper – that experience certainly gives us an edge when transitioning to astronautics."
But the uncertainty and vastness of space requires much more – proficiency in multiple disciplines, not just one.
'You have to switch between roles very fast. One day you focus on the study; the next day you push your body through physical training. Add to that psychological and behavioral training. It is a continuous challenge. Simply travelling to space once does not make you an astronaut. Their journey continues well beyond the first mission," he adds matter-of-factly.
The Weight of A Billion Dreams…
For a space-faring nation like India, Gaganyaan marks a pivotal moment – after almost 40 years since Cosmonaut Rakesh Sharma flew into space as the first Indian astronaut aboard a Soyuz spacecraft. There is pressure and expectations.
'I remind myself that I represent all the scientists, technicians, engineers, and the countless individuals at ISRO, academic institutes, and supporting industries. We carry their hopes when we travel to space. I think some of the weight of dreams would be carried by Shuks (Group Captain Shubhanshu Shukla) on his upcoming flight (Axiom Mission-4). I'm really proud and excited for this mission. We have trained together, and it's truly an honour to be on this journey with him, and Gp Captain Nair and Gp Captain Krishnan," he smiles.
Family And Nervous Moments
India plans to send three astronauts into the Low Earth Orbit (LEO) aboard its heaviest launcher LVM Mk3. The target is to position the module in a ~400 km circular orbit around earth for a few days and bring it safely back to Earth.
'When the opportunity came knocking, I was thrilled to be considered for what I believe is the best job on the planet. This journey truly changes you as a person," he says. As for the family's nerves, he says, 'I'm not assigned to a mission yet, but for any astronaut, and their family, the reality hits once you're officially assigned, and you have a set date, and certainty of going. That moment has not come yet."
top videos
View all
Gaganyaan, initially targeted for launch during India's 75th year of independence, is now expected to take off in 2027 – pending the successful completion of three un-crewed and two crewed successful launches in the next two years. The first un-crewed orbital flight is slated to launch later this year.
'Timelines do get stretched a bit, but the four of us have been very lucky. In February 2024, February, we officially completed our training and were awarded the space wings by the Prime Minister. It does not matter which one of us eventually flies into space – what matters is that an Indian is finally going up. This truly marks a turning point for India. It's the way forward. It will open the doors for many others," he signs off.
Watch India Pakistan Breaking News on CNN-News18. Get breaking news, in-depth analysis, and expert perspectives on everything from politics to crime and society. Stay informed with the latest India news only on News18. Download the News18 App to stay updated!
tags :
Gaganyaan
Location :
New Delhi, India, India
First Published:
May 12, 2025, 11:31 IST
News india 'Best Job On Planet': Gaganyaan Astronaut-Designate Angad Pratap On Carrying A Billion Dreams | Interview
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
The Hindu
an hour ago
- The Hindu
Army hosts curtain-raiser for Tri-Services Academia Technology Symposium in Delhi
The Indian Army held a curtain-raiser event on Friday (July 4, 2025) for the upcoming Tri-Services Academia Technology Symposium at the Manekshaw Centre in New Delhi. The event formally launched preparations for the main symposium scheduled to be held on September 22–23. Themed 'Vivek va Anusandhan se Vijay', the initiative aims to deepen collaboration between the Armed Forces and academia for the development of cutting-edge indigenous technologies. Powering Indigenous Defence Innovation The Indian Army, in coordination with Indian Navy & Indian Air Force, held a Curtain Raiser for the Tri-Services Academia Technology Symposium at Manekshaw Centre #NewDelhi with the Theme 'Vivek va Anusandhan se Vijay'. The main event to be… — ADG PI - INDIAN ARMY (@adgpi) July 4, 2025 The primary objective of the symposium is to develop an integrated perspective for creating a synergised services–academia research and development ecosystem. It seeks to identify and harness the scientific potential within academic institutions to meet the niche technological needs of the Indian armed forces, thereby contributing to long-term self-reliance in defence capabilities. As part of the curtain-raiser, a dedicated portal was inaugurated to facilitate participation from academic institutions across the country. Also read: BrahMos chief stresses tri-sector collaboration to equip Navy cadets for tech-driven warfare Submitted proposals and exhibits will be reviewed by subject matter experts from the respective defence services. Shortlisted entries will be invited for one-on-one discussions with services representatives and will be showcased during the exhibition segment of the symposium. The most promising innovations and proposals will be recognised and felicitated during the valedictory session. The Tri-Services Academia Technology Symposium represents a key initiative towards narrowing down the gap between academic research and defence application. It reaffirms the armed forces' commitment to nurturing indigenous technological innovation in alignment with the vision of 'Aatmanirbhar Bharat'. The event was conducted in coordination with the Integrated Defence Staff, Indian Navy and Indian Air Force.
Time of India
2 hours ago
- Time of India
Soundcheck! Shux, crew lend voice to help train AI on Earth
In the hushed corridors of the International Space Station (ISS), where human voices float as weightlessly as the bodies that carry them, Indian astronaut Shubhanshu Shukla and his Ax-4 crewmates are helping decode the science of sound in space — quite literally. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now The Ax-4 crew recently lent their voices to the 'Voice in Space' study, a pioneering experiment investigating how microgravity alters human speech. Without gravity's usual pull on the lungs, diaphragm, and vocal tract, even subtle changes in vocal fold vibration or tone can occur. Using electroglottography — a non-invasive technique used to measure vocal fold contact during voice production — sensors and a series of scripted vocal tasks, researchers are capturing these shifts to understand how spaceflight affects speech patterns and cognition. Training AI on Earth The aim? To train artificial intelligence systems that can one day monitor astronaut health in real time — and perhaps even enhance voice-based AI technologies back on Earth. This study blends physiology, acoustics, and machine learning. 'This experiment seeks to determine whether the influenced voice pattern and listening capabilities of the participant might be able to be detected by an AI algorithm. Vocal characteristics of an ISS crew member can change in a zero-gravity, and after undergoing cognitive function changes. Measurements of vocal fold vibration provide a quantitative indication of vocal fold function,' as per Axiom Space. Scripted voice audio recordings — reading, singing, vowel enunciation, audio pitch matching— allow for tonal analysis, Axiom said, adding that these data allow the investigator to test and analyse vocal performance and voice pattern changes in space and then evaluate how space journey influences the human voice. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now UltraSound & fabric study But sound wasn't the only thing on the crew's mind. Alongside the voice study, they completed multiple sessions of the 'Cerebral Hemodynamics' investigation — an exploration into how blood flows through the brain in a zero-gravity environment. Without gravity pulling fluids downward, astronauts often experience a fluid shift towards the head. By using ultrasound to monitor these changes, scientists hope to develop better diagnostic tools for cardiovascular and neurological conditions — tools that could serve both astronauts and patients on Earth suffering from stroke, dizziness, or fainting. Also on the roster of the Ax-4 crew is the 'Suit Fabric Study', a technology demonstration examining how clothing behaves in space. This isn't just about comfort — it's about performance. The crew wore sensor-equipped garments during exercise to observe how heat and moisture are managed when convection is no longer at play. 'The findings could inform the design of next-generation space suits — and inspire innovations in thermal wear on Earth, from sports gear to medical textiles,' Axiom added.
The Hindu
2 hours ago
- The Hindu
Gp Capt. Shukla shares experience of life aboard ISS with students
Group Captain Shubhanshu Shukla, who is aboard the International Space Station (ISS) had a brief interaction with students who had gathered at the U.R. Rao Satellite Centre (URSC) here on Friday. He interacted with the student community via ham radio which lasted about 10 minutes. The interaction overseen by the Amateur Radio on the ISS (ARISS) saw the participation of approximately 70 students who posed questions on the Indian astronauts journey to the space station and daily routine in the orbiting laboratory. 'One-and-a-half days (journey to the ISS) and thereafter you get to see the ISS... It was very exciting to see and the entire process of how the capsule approaches the station and then positions itself right in line with the docking port and thereafter goes ahead and docks into the port. It was a very, very exciting moment for me,' Gp Capt. Shukla said replying to a question. His Axiom-4 mission (Ax-4) to the International Space Station (ISS) was launched on June 25, 2025, from NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Florida. After a 28-and-a-half-hour journey on the ISS Dragon spacecraft, Gp Capt. Shukla and other crew members reached ISS. He also spoke about the complex docking process. 'So when we landed in the space station, there were two crew members who were able to reach the docking port. And thereafter you get to see the International Space Station, which is going to be your home for the next 14 days,' he said. The Gp Capt. also spoke about the experiments he has been conducting in the space station and how sleeping is a challenge there. 'We have to tie our sleeping bags,' he said.
