IAF’s Wing Commander Shubhanshu Shukla has been announced as the prime astronaut for the Indo-US space mission. He will be only the second Indian after Rakesh Sharma to be part of a space mission. Mission paved its way after PM Modi, Joe Biden signed a joint statement in June 2023, envisioning a joint ISRO-NASA effort to the ISS. A National Mission Assignment Board has recommended two `Gaganyatris` as the prime, backup Mission Pilots for this mission. These include Group Capt. Shubhanshu Shukla (Prime), Group Captain Prasanth Balakrishnan Nair (Backup). The recommended `Gaganyatris` will commence their training for the mission in the first week of August, informed ISRO. Notably, PM Modi bestowed astronaut wings upon Shubhanshu Shukla after his name was revealed for the Gaganyaan Mission on Feb 27, 2024. The Gaganyaan Mission is India’s first human space flight program, for which extensive preparations are underway at various ISRO centers. Apart from Wing Commander Shubhanshu, Group Capt Prashanth Nair, Ajit Krishnan, Angad Pratap Shukla will also join mission.