Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) to Include Civilians in Astronaut Cadre

Key facts

• The Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) committee on astronaut selection and management has recommended including four civilian specialists from science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) backgrounds in the second batch of astronauts.
• The second batch of astronauts will consist of 10 members, comprising four civilian specialists and six mission pilots from military aviation backgrounds.
• The first batch of four astronauts, all Indian Air Force (IAF) test pilots, includes Air Commodore Prashanth B Nair, Gp Capt Shubhanshu Shukla, Gp Capt Ajit Krishnan, and Gp Capt Angad Prathap.
• Civilian astronauts are scheduled to join mission crews starting from the fourth crewed Gaganyaan mission.
• The proposed third batch will consist of 12 astronauts, including two mission pilots and 10 specialists.
• ISRO has proposed a total astronaut cadre strength of up to 40.
• From the seventh crewed mission, the crew size is proposed to increase from two to three astronauts to support the Bharatiya Antariksh Station.
• The readiness target for the second batch is 72 months and for the third batch is 96 months.
• A full astronaut turnaround cycle, including selection, training, and mission preparation, is estimated at 4.5 years.
• The agency is developing environment control and life support systems (ECLSS) for its missions.