PM Modi in Kerala today: PM likely to unveil Gaganyaan mission astronauts’ names

PM Modi in Kerala today: The Prime Minister is scheduled to commence his visit from the Vikram Sarabhai Space Centre located in Thiruvananthapuram, Kerala, on Tuesday. “The Gaganyaan Mission is India's first human space flight program for which extensive preparations are underway at various ISRO centres,” the release stated. Prime Minister Narendra Modi is anticipated to reveal the names of four test pilots selected for India's inaugural human spaceflight mission, 'Gaganyaan', during his visit to the VSSC. As reported by Times of India citing sources, “One of the four pilots chosen for the Gaganyaan mission will also be selected for the International Space Station mission, which was agreed upon between ISRO and NASA during the Prime Minister's state visit to the United States.” The sources further informed TOI that the series of Gaganyaan tests have been planned before the final mission. As per an official release by the Prime Minister Office, “The projects include the PSLV Integration Facility at the Satish Dhawan Space Centre, Sriharikota; new 'Semi-cryogenics Integrated Engine and stage Test facility' at ISRO Propulsion Complex at Mahendragiri; and 'Trisonic Wind Tunnel' at VSSC, Thiruvananthapuram.” It further stated that the PSLV Integration Facility at the Satish Dhawan Space Centre, Sriharikota will help in boosting the frequency of PSLV launches from 6 to 15 per year.